SEOUL, Sept 10 V7N– North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared that the country will steadily enhance its nuclear arsenal in response to growing threats from the U.S. and its allies, state media reported Tuesday. Speaking at a 76th-anniversary event for North Korea's founding, Kim emphasized the importance of perfecting the nation's nuclear capabilities.

Kim framed North Korea as a "responsible nuclear weapons state," insisting that its arsenal is purely defensive and not a threat to others. However, with tensions on the Korean Peninsula rising and the recent deployment of 250 ballistic missile launchers near its southern border, Kim reiterated the need to bolster the country's armed forces, including its nuclear capabilities.

This address follows North Korea's previous vow to exponentially increase its nuclear armament, with experts suggesting that by 2027, the country could have enough material for 200 nuclear warheads, potentially increasing to 300 by 2030.

Experts believe North Korea's efforts focus on diversifying its nuclear weapons, especially tactical nuclear arms, a direction established at the 8th Party Congress in 2021.

END/WD/RH