North Korea’s Kim says country will exercise its position as nuclear state, KCNA reports
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reaffirmed the country's commitment to its nuclear state status, citing global security instability and U.S. aggression. He ordered the expansion of nuclear forces and the construction of a new strategic guided missile cruiser.
Why it matters
This declaration signals a hardening of North Korea's military posture, increasing regional tensions and complicating international non-proliferation efforts.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said exercising the country’s position as a nuclear state is the only way to cope with an unpredictable and complicated global security situation, KCNA state news agency reported on Tuesday (June 23, 2026).
The article reports on official state statements and international reactions without editorializing the content.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in