North Korea's Kim says country will exercise its position as nuclear state, KCNA reports

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared that his country must exercise its position as a nuclear state to navigate an unpredictable and complicated global security situation. He asserted this is the "most correct and unique way" to confidently address the escalating international military and political landscape. Kim's remarks, delivered at a ruling Workers' Party meeting, blamed "gangster-like" hegemonic forces for "unimaginable, astonishing incidents and events," which he claims are fueling global confrontations. He specifically accused the U.S. of worsening bloodshed in Europe and the Middle East. Addressing the Korean Peninsula, Kim accused the U.S. and South Korea of heightening danger through their steadily upgraded combined nuclear posture, which he contends is solely aimed at attacking North Korea. In response, he ordered the buildup of conventional weapons and accelerated construction of a 10,000-ton strategic guided missile cruiser. North Korea has consistently defied international sanctions aimed at curbing its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Despite years of diplomatic efforts, Pyongyang has declared itself a nuclear state and has shown no inclination to abandon its atomic weapons, alarming regional powers.

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To steadily expand and strengthen the nuclear forces ... and to thoroughly exercise the position of a nuclear weapons state is the most correct and unique way to actively and confidently cope with the unpredictable international military and political situation getting complicated in multiple ways.