North Korea warns US nuclear strategy could trigger arms race

PYONGYANG: North Korea has warned that a new nuclear strategy being considered by the United States could trigger a fresh global arms race and increase the risk of nuclear conflict.

A spokesperson for North Korea’s Foreign Ministry criticised the proposed US nuclear policy and accused Washington of using nuclear weapons for strategic dominance and political and military objectives.

The spokesperson described the reported US strategy as a serious and dangerous development. North Korea said the policy could undermine the existing nuclear balance and accelerate the development and deployment of nuclear weapons around the world.

According to the North Korean statement, continued expansion of nuclear capabilities could push the international security environment closer to the threshold of nuclear war.

However, US Deputy Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby said on Thursday that he did not expect any major or fundamental changes in the nuclear strategy currently under consideration.

North Korea also criticised planned joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea. It warned that it would exercise what it described as its right to self-defence in response to what it considers hostile military activities.

A statement carried by North Korean state media said Pyongyang would not tolerate what it described as an increasingly confrontational situation created by hostile states.

The United States and South Korea are scheduled to begin their joint military exercises on August 17. The drills are expected to continue until August 27.

The exercises are also expected to take into account possible lessons from North Korea’s involvement in Russia’s war in Ukraine, particularly its military experience and battlefield capabilities.

The latest warnings came after North Korea conducted its second missile test in less than a week.

On Wednesday, Pyongyang launched a ballistic missile from its eastern coast towards the sea. Six days earlier, it had conducted another test involving a short-range missile.

North Korea’s latest military activity comes amid continued tensions with Washington and Seoul. Diplomatic efforts to restart talks have so far failed to produce a breakthrough.

According to reports, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has largely rejected recent calls for renewed diplomatic engagement with the United States and South Korea.

Since the collapse of diplomatic efforts involving former US President Donald Trump in 2019, Kim has instead focused on strengthening North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities.

Analysts believe Pyongyang could eventually use its expanding nuclear capabilities as leverage to seek concessions from Washington.

These could include relief from international sanctions and other measures imposed on North Korea over its nuclear and missile programmes.