North Korea to expand nuclear weapons programme, says Kim Jong-un
In a speech on Saturday marking the 77th anniversary of the Korean People's Army, Kim accused Washington of orchestrating a NATO-style military bloc in the region.
Kim said the trilateral security arrangement between Washington, Seoul and Tokyo was "raising a grave challenge to the security environment of our state," according to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
Amid stalled diplomatic efforts in recent years, Kim has prioritised the expansion and modernisation of North Korea's nuclear capabilities.
In response, the US and South Korea have intensified their joint military exercises, including trilateral drills with Japan.
Since assuming office on 20 January, Trump has expressed a willingness to re-engage with Kim, frequently referencing his previous summits with the North Korean leader.
"We will have relations with North Korea, with Kim Jong-un. I got along with him very well, as you know," Trump said at a joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Friday.
However, the US president and his Japanese counterpart reaffirmed their "resolute commitment to the complete denuclearisation of the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea)."
Trump and Kim held three summits between 2018 and 2019 in what were the first-ever meetings between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader.
However, talks collapsed when Trump rejected Kim's proposal to dismantle his main nuclear complex in exchange for sweeping sanctions relief.
North Korea has yet to issue a direct response to Trump's recent statements.
Analysts suggest Kim is currently focused on his military alliance with Russia. In recent months, he has deployed thousands of troops to support Vladimir Putin's war against Ukraine.
However, some believe Kim may eventually reconsider diplomacy with Trump if maintaining close ties with Russia proves unsustainable.
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In his speech on Saturday, Kim reaffirmed his unwavering support for Russia's war effort, stating North Korea "will invariably support and encourage the just cause of the Russian army and people to defend their sovereignty, security and territorial integrity."
He further accused Washington of fuelling the conflict, describing the US as "the war machine which is stirring up the tragic situation of Ukraine."
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