North Korean leader Kim Jong Un announced plans to further develop the country’s nuclear forces.
Kim Jong Un views the alliance between the United States, Japan and South Korea as a threat to North Korea’s security. The United States and South Korea regularly hold military training together, and the United States is supplying South Korea with nuclear weapons including nuclear-capable submarines, bombers and other appliances. Although the two countries have been cooperating since the end of the Korean War in 1953, Kim Jong Un has recently made a statement saying he intends to use nuclear weapons for combat rather than “bargaining items.”
To oppose this threat, North Korea has openly announced their support for Russia in the Russo-Ukrainian War in order to strengthen alliances with both Russia and China against the United States. By supporting Russia, North Korea is aligning itself with a major nuclear power who shares their disapproval of the Western influence. North Korea has seemingly supplied Russia with nuclear weapons. In return, Russia may be providing North Korea with military technology or diplomatic support. This alliance with Russia makes North Korea more secure and can contribute to their increasing nuclear power.
Moreover, countries like China and Russia are quickly improving their nuclear power and are becoming increasingly large threats to the world. North Korea sees its security with these powerful nations as an opportunity to catch up.
The failed negotiation attempts between the United States and North Korea which is the reason for North Korea’s change in stance. Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un have tried to negotiate diplomacy but the failed talks resulted in North Korea focusing on building a more powerful nuclear arsenal. North Korea is now committing to using nuclear weapons for combat-use and self-defense rather than as a diplomatic leverage.
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