North Korea: Kim Jong-un accuses US, South Korea of threatening peace

North Korea has moved ahead with developing its nuclear program as of late, leading to several missile tests that have caused concern among other nations, including the US. In a recent speech, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un accused the US and South Korea of threatening peace in the region.

North Korean state media outlet KCNA reported that Kim gave remarks in a Defense Department exhibition that took place Monday. Kim addressed the country’s budding nuclear program, saying that the nation was only increasing its military arsenal for self-defense rather than starting a war. The North Korean leader cited that the growing arsenal of the nation was necessary in light of the policies of the US as well as the military buildup from South Korea.

“We are not discussing war with anyone, but rather to prevent war itself and to literally increase war deterrence for the protection of national sovereignty,” said Kim, further saying that North Korea’s enemy is “war itself.”

This comes as both North and South Korea have been testing their respective missiles as of late in what would be an arms race between the two nations. North Korea has moved forward with its missile development, while experts also suspect that Pyongyang has started the expansion of its main nuclear reactor in Yongbyon.

Washington has previously said it was willing to hold diplomatic talks with North Korea. However, Pyongyang has said it was not interested as long as the US still maintains its sanctions against the isolated nation as well as its military activities in South Korea. US President Joe Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan would be meeting with his South Korean counterpart Suh Hoon in Washington Tuesday to discuss North Korea.

Last week, Kim has also ordered the restoration of communication lines between the two Koreas in an effort to put relations back on the right track. The move followed Kim’s announcement of his intention to repair communications with the South, according to KCNA. The state media outlet also urged South Korea to “make positive efforts to put the North-South ties on a right track.”

Kim explained in his remarks at a parliament session the week before that the purpose of restoring communication lines with South Korea was to ensure lasting peace.