SEOUL – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has accused the United States of escalating tensions and provocations on the Korean Peninsula, warning that the region now faces its greatest risk of nuclear conflict. In a speech at a military exhibition in Pyongyang on Thursday, Kim said the current standoff was more dangerous than any time in history, according to North Korean state media KCNA.
Kim claimed that his past negotiations with Washington had only reinforced the U.S.’s “aggressive and hostile” stance towards North Korea, which he said was unwilling to seek peaceful coexistence. “Never before have the warring parties on the Korean Peninsula faced such an acute confrontation that could escalate into a thermonuclear war,” Kim said. He went on to assert that North Korea had reached the limit of its efforts to negotiate with the U.S., concluding that America’s policy toward Pyongyang was driven solely by “power and aggression” and was unlikely to change.
The statement comes as tensions remain high on the Korean Peninsula, following a period of diplomatic engagement between Kim and former U.S. President Donald Trump. The two leaders held three unprecedented summits in 2018 and 2019, but those talks ultimately failed to yield tangible results, primarily due to disagreements over North Korea’s nuclear disarmament and U.S. demands for sanctions relief.
Trump, who often praised his relationship with Kim, claimed last month that their diplomacy prevented a nuclear war, saying that without their personal rapport, millions would have died. However, North Korean state media has not made any public reference to Trump’s recent comments or his re-election bid.
In his speech, Kim emphasized the need for North Korea to continue developing “ultra-modern” weapons and strengthen its defense capabilities. The Defence Development Exhibition, which showcased a range of strategic and tactical weapons, underscored Kim’s focus on bolstering North Korea’s military might.
Kim’s remarks also came amid growing international concern over the deepening military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow. North Korea has reportedly sent over 10,000 troops to support Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. Last week, Kim blamed the U.S. and its allies for exacerbating tensions to a point where the Korean Peninsula has become “the world’s biggest hotspot,” urging his military to further enhance its readiness for war.
As the standoff continues, Kim’s rhetoric suggests that North Korea remains defiant in the face of global pressure, warning that the situation could spiral into a catastrophic conflict.
