Kim Jong Un Accuses US of Escalating Tensions, Warns of Nuclear War Risk

Kim Jong Un has accused the U.S. of escalating tensions, warning of a heightened risk of nuclear war on the Korean Peninsula. He criticized past U.S. negotiations as hostile and suggested reopening talks if the U.S. changes its approach.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has accused the United States of escalating tensions and provocations, stating that the Korean Peninsula is at its greatest risk of nuclear war. This statement, made in a speech during a military exhibition in Pyongyang, comes amid international concern over the growing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, including reports that North Korea sent over 10,000 troops to assist Russia in its invasion of Ukraine.

Kim criticized previous negotiations with Washington, claiming they only highlighted the US's "aggressive and hostile" stance towards North Korea. "Never before have the parties involved in the Korean conflict faced such a dangerous and immediate risk of a thermonuclear war," he said. Kim also declared that North Korea had reached the limit of what it could achieve through negotiations with the U.S., as those talks had only underscored America's unyielding policy.

North Korean state media have not yet commented on the re-election of Donald Trump, who had previously held three summits with Kim between 2018 and 2019. However, these talks ended without significant progress due to the wide gap between U.S. demands for North Korea to relinquish its nuclear arsenal and Kim’s insistence on sanctions relief.

Trump, who has often praised his rapport with Kim, stated last month that their relationship had prevented a nuclear war, saving millions of lives. Hong Min, a research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification in Seoul, suggested that Kim’s recent remarks may be an effort to emphasize North Korea’s nuclear strength ahead of Trump’s potential second term, while signaling a willingness to reopen diplomatic discussions if the U.S. shows a more cooperative approach.

Read next

14:28

Ukraine - North Korea

Kiev captured first-time alive soldiers from North Korea

Ukrainian forces captured two North Korean soldiers in Russia's Kursk region, marking a first. Zelenskyy shared evidence, highlighting their survival and potential asylum or prisoner exchange.

09:39

World News

North Korea fires ballistic missile amid US Secretary of state’s visit to Seoul

North Korea fired a ballistic missile on January 6, marking its first test in two months. The launch occurred during US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Seoul, raising tensions amid ongoing regional concerns.

11:07

World News

North Korean soldiers suffering battlefield losses, unprotected by Russian forces, says Zelenskyy

16:26

World News

Seoul alerts to North Korea’s military contributions to Russia

South Korea has detected North Korea’s plans to expand military support to Russia, including deploying troops and supplying advanced weapons like suicide drones, raising alarms over global security dynamics.

09:23

Sanctions

US hits North Korea and Russia with new sanctions, Treasury says

The U.S. and South Korea impose new sanctions on North Korea and Russia over military cooperation, targeting Pyongyang's ballistic missile program, oil trade, and troop deployment to support Russia's war in Ukraine.