North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has criticized trilateral military cooperation between the United States, Japan and South Korea for raising tensions in the region and vowed countermeasures, including further development of nuclear forces.
Kim said the US deployment of strategic nuclear assets, war games and military cooperation with Japan and South Korea were causing a military imbalance in the region and posing a serious challenge to the security environment, state news agency KCNA reported.
"North Korea does not want unnecessary tension in the regional situation, but will take constant countermeasures to ensure regional military balance," Kim said during a visit to the Defense Ministry.
Kim once again clarified his unwavering policy of further developing nuclear forces, according to an agency report carried by Reuters.
Commenting on Russia's war with Ukraine, Kim said that the North Korean army and people will always support and encourage the just cause of the Russian army and people to defend their sovereignty, security and territorial integrity in accordance with the spirit of the North Korea-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty.
US President Donald Trump said after meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Friday that he would have relations with North Korea, but the two expressed concerns about its nuclear program.
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