Acknowledging The Importance Of Weapons Development In Anticipation Of The US And South Korea, Kim Jong-un: We Are Not Discussing War

JAKARTA - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un stressed that his country needs weapons development in the face of hostile policies from the United States (US) and military buildup in South Korea, state media said Tuesday.

Pyongyang is only increasing its military for self-defense and not to start a war, Kim said in a speech at the Defense Development Exhibition, state news agency KCNA reported.

Kim Jong-un made the remarks while standing in front of various weapons, including the Hwasong-16 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), photos in the ruling party newspaper Rodong Sinmun show.

To note, the Hwasong-16 is North Korea's largest ICBM and was unveiled at a military parade in October 2020, although the missile has yet to undergo official testing.

"We are not discussing war with anyone, but rather to prevent war itself and literally increase war prevention for the protection of national sovereignty," Kim Jong-un said.

The two Koreas are in an accelerating arms race, with both sides testing increasingly sophisticated short-range ballistic missiles and other hardware.

South Korea recently carried out its first test launch of a submarine-launched ballistic missile, plans to build major new weapons including an aircraft carrier, and has purchased the American-made F-35 stealth fighter.

Meanwhile, North Korea has continued to push forward its missile program, with analysts saying it has begun a major expansion of its main nuclear reactor, which is used to produce fuel for nuclear bombs.

The United States has previously said it is willing to hold diplomatic talks with North Korea at any time, although Pyongyang has said it is not interested as long as Washington maintains policies such as sanctions and military activity in South Korea.

The United States' assertion that it has no hostile feelings towards North Korea is unbelievable in the face of wrong judgments and actions and continues, Leader Kim said, without elaborating.

As for South Korea's unlimited and dangerous efforts to strengthen its military, Kim Jong-un views it as destroying the military balance on the Korean peninsula and increasing military instability and danger.

"Under the absurd pretext of suppressing our threats, South Korea has publicly expressed its desire to gain an edge over us in military power on various occasions," he concluded.