North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un said on Monday that his country needs "rapid expansion" of its nuclear program. In his view, the joint military exercises by the United States and South Korea are "a clear manifestation of their desire to start a war", reported Pyongyang's official news agency, KCNA.
Rapid expansion of nuclearization
"The current situation requires a radical and rapid change in existing military theory and practice, as well as a rapid expansion of nuclearization," said the leader of atomic-armed North Korea.
Collaboration between the United States and South Korea
On Monday, the US and South Korean militaries launched their annual joint military maneuvers aimed at improving cooperation in the event of conflict with the North.
Pyongyang's critics
Pyongyang regularly criticizes these exercises, dubbed "Ulchi Freedom Shield", regarding them as preparations for an invasion. Pyongyang sometimes responds with test firings.
A "defensive vocation", according to the US Army
The U.S. Army has assured us that these military maneuvers have a "defensive vocation". Ulchi Freedom Shield" is scheduled to last eleven days and includes "several large-scale live ammunition practices".
Destroyer Choe Hyon progresses "as planned
These new statements by the Korean leader follow his visit to the domestically-built destroyer Choe Hyon on Monday. The ship is intended to become a "high-tech nuclear-armed" vessel, and its development is progressing "as planned", Kim Jong-un said.
A third destroyer in sight
North Korea plans to build a third 5,000-ton Choe Hyon-class destroyer by next October, and is currently testing cruise missiles and anti-aircraft missiles to equip these warships.
Bilateral "military confidence
The new South Korean president elected in early June, Lee Jae-myung (center-left), promised on Friday to "respect" North Korea's political system and build bilateral "military trust". Mr. Lee wants dialogue without preconditions, in contrast to his predecessor, who maintained a hard line with his northern neighbor.
Pyongyang closes the door on dialogue
In response, Pyongyang declared that it had no interest in easing tensions with Seoul.
A meeting between Lee Jae-myung and Donald Trump
Efforts by the US and its allies to curb North Korea's nuclear development are expected to be discussed at an upcoming meeting in Washington between Lee Jae-myung and his US counterpart Donald Trump.