North Korea to expand nuclear arsenal

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has announced that Pyongyang plans to significantly strengthen its nuclear arsenal and accelerate the development of new weapons systems, including more powerful intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched missiles, attack systems incorporating elements of artificial intelligence and drones.

The announcement followed a congress of the ruling party, which concluded with a military parade in Pyongyang. According to estimates by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), North Korea possesses dozens of nuclear warheads and sufficient material to produce more.

Kim also left open the possibility of negotiations with the US, but only if Washington changes its ‘confrontational policy’ and recognises the country’s current status.

Analysts say this amounts in practice to a rejection of dialogue on denuclearisation.

Kim has described South Korea as an enemy and has not ruled out further action if, in his view, it behaves provocatively.

(reuters, pir)