North Korea’s Foreign Minister, Choe Son Hui, announced in Moscow on Friday that Pyongyang is committed to ramping up its nuclear arsenal in response to what it sees as rising global threats.
Supplying Men For Technology
This declaration has further fueled speculation that North Korea is seeking advanced military technology from Russia in return for its military support in Ukraine, according to L'Independent.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Choe stated, recently ordered the enhancement of “modern offensive nuclear weapons and a stronger nuclear response capability.”
She emphasized that North Korea’s commitment to building its nuclear forces will remain unshaken.
Choe’s comments come amid reports suggesting that North Korea has been supplying Russia with large quantities of artillery shells, missiles, and possibly even soldiers.
Expanding Nuclear Programs
Pyongyang’s support for Moscow has steadily grown since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with both nations establishing a defense agreement during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s June visit to Pyongyang.
While neither North Korea nor Russia has confirmed reports of North Korean troops on the ground in Ukraine, Western observers believe the deployment is imminent.
In return, North Korea is suspected of seeking Russian technology to support its expanding nuclear and missile programs. North Korea’s recent test of its Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) underscores its ongoing drive to advance its weapons technology.
Choe also directed criticism at the United States and South Korea, accusing them of escalating tensions on the Korean peninsula.
According to Choe, the U.S. and South Korea’s increasing military cooperation could lead to a dangerous situation, with the Korean peninsula at risk of becoming "explosive."
Kim Jong Un personally oversaw North Korea’s Hwasong-19 missile test, which, according to state media, was a “great success.” Western analysts suspect that North Korea’s growing support for Russia in the Ukraine conflict is part of a broader strategy to secure technology that could strengthen its nuclear capabilities.
