In a recent announcement, North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un emphasized his commitment to bolstering the country’s nuclear capabilities, maintaining a stringent stance against South Korea, which he labeled as “the most hostile” nation. This declaration was reported by state media on Tuesday, as noted by The Associated Press.

During a speech to Pyongyang’s ceremonial legislature on Monday, Kim criticized the United States, accusing it of engaging in global “state terrorism and aggression.” This remark seemed to allude to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. He vowed that North Korea would adopt a more assertive role in an international coalition against the U.S., capitalizing on the growing anti-American sentiment worldwide.

As covered by the AP, a North Korean official suggested that the future of relations—whether confrontational or peaceful—rests in the hands of adversaries, stating, “We are ready to respond to any choice they make.”

An image taken on February 15, 2026, and disseminated by North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on February 16, captures Kim Jong Un addressing the audience at the inauguration of Saeppyol Street in Pyongyang. (KCNA via KNS/AFP via Getty Images)

Kim asserted, “The dignity of our nation, the protection of our national interests, and our ultimate victory can only be secured through the mightiest power.” He further declared, according to the AP, that the North Korean government would persist in fortifying its “absolutely irreversible status as a nuclear power” and would actively confront hostile forces to dismantle their anti-North Korean initiatives.

An image from February 21, 2026, released by North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) via KNS on February 22, shows Kim Jong Un delivering remarks at the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea in Pyongyang. (KCNA via KNS/AFP via Getty Images)

The 2026 Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community states, “North Korea remains committed to expanding its strategic weapons programs, including missiles and nuclear warheads, and to solidifying its deterrent capability.” 

This picture taken on Feb. 2, 2026 and released by North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) via KNS on Feb. 3, shows Kim Jong Un delivering a speech at the inauguration of the Samgwang Stockbreeding Farm in North Pyongan Province. (KCNA via KNS/AFP via Getty Images)

The U.S. and Israel launched a war against Iran more than three weeks ago in a bid to prevent the Islamic Republic from potentially joining the ranks of other nations that possess nuclear weapons.