رسالة نارية من بيونغ يانغ: السلاح النووي خيار لا رجعة فيه

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un announced his intention to accelerate the development of his country's military and nuclear capabilities, warning that what he described as increasing U.S. and South Korean military reinforcements is pushing the Korean Peninsula to the "brink of nuclear war."

Kim's statements came during the second general meeting of the ninth Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, which was held over three days in the capital Pyongyang, where officials discussed the country's economic and strategic policies and priorities for the upcoming phase.

Enhancing Defensive Capabilities

Kim confirmed that his government will continue to enhance its defensive capabilities at a faster pace, emphasizing that security developments in the region compel his country to take additional steps to protect its sovereignty and national security.

The North Korean leader accused the United States and South Korea of seeking to modernize and expand their military capabilities in the region, pointing to projects related to enhancing Seoul's naval and strategic capabilities, in addition to joint military exercises and intelligence-gathering activities.

Criticism of the U.S.-South Korea Alliance

Pyongyang sharply criticized the nuclear consultation group between Washington and Seoul, considering it a structure dedicated to preparing for a potential nuclear war, and working on developing combat scenarios that include the use of conventional and nuclear weapons.

The North Korean leadership stated that these moves justify the continued development of its nuclear capabilities as the fundamental guarantee of the country's security and deterrence against any external threats.

Nuclear Weapons as an "Irreversible Option"

The party meeting confirmed that expanding and strengthening North Korea's nuclear power represents "the only and most correct path" to deal with international military and political changes, stressing that the country's status as a nuclear state has become an essential part of its defense strategy.

Kim indicated that programs for developing nuclear weapons and related technologies will continue at an accelerated pace, with efforts to implement more ambitious plans in the coming years despite international sanctions and pressures.

Message to Washington and Seoul

Observers believe that Kim's statements represent a direct message to the United States and South Korea that Pyongyang has no intention of returning to any negotiations aimed at denuclearization.

Korean affairs experts noted that the recent rhetoric reflects the North Korean leadership's commitment to the principle of a "permanent nuclear state," and confirms the view of the nuclear arsenal as a key strategic and diplomatic tool in facing external pressures.

This comes after years of stalled nuclear negotiations between Pyongyang and Washington since the failure of the summit that brought Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump together in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi in 2019.

Criticism of Japan

In a related context, Kim criticized Japan's defense policies, accusing Tokyo of exploiting regional tensions to gradually transform into a "military state" by removing restrictions on its defense capabilities.

For his part, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol stated that dealing with the North Korean nuclear issue requires a different approach, noting that the sanctions imposed on Pyongyang have not achieved the desired results.

He added that U.S. President Donald Trump expressed agreement on the need to reconsider methods of addressing the North Korean nuclear crisis, given the complexities of the current security landscape.

The recent statements come at a time when the region is witnessing an escalation in the arms race and military tensions, raising international concerns about the deterioration of the security situation in Northeast Asia, especially with North Korea continuing to develop its missile and nuclear programs and refusing to abandon its strategic arsenal.