SEOUL, Sept 7 \u2014 Leader Kim Jong Un vowed to build North Korea\u2019s navy into a nuclear-armed force, state media reported today as US allies\u2019 maritime drills were to begin.<\/p>\n
This week\u2019s manoeuvres involving Japan, South Korea and the United States were established in 2023 in a response to Pyongyang\u2019s missile and nuclear threats.<\/p>\n
Kim spoke at the commissioning of the Kang Kon \u2014 a warship that partially capsized when launched in May 2025 \u2014 in the port city of Wonsan yesterday, the official Korean Central News Agency reported.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe should make sure that the diversified and effective operation of nuclear combat systems is conducted for an actual war through developing our navy into a nuclear armed force,\u201d Kim reportedly told the ceremony.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce ordered anytime, the new-generation destroyer should deal a deadly retaliatory blow at the enemies as it is a force involved in the state nuclear counteraction system,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Photos released of Kim showed him accompanied by his daughter, Ju Ae, who is reportedly designated as a successor to her father.<\/p>\n
Kim oversaw in July a test of the Kang Kon \u2014 one of two 5,000-tonne class warships launched last year \u2014 just over a year after it was damaged during its launch.<\/p>\n
This week\u2019s US allies\u2019 drills, dubbed Freedom Edge, are set to run to Friday in international waters east and south of South Korea\u2019s Jeju Island.<\/p>\n
The manoeuvres have pushed ahead despite President Donald Trump curtailing another set of drills with South Korea as the US leader aims to reopen diplomacy with Pyongyang about its nuclear programme.<\/p>\n
Seoul and Washington wrapped up last month Ulchi Freedom Shield, which Trump had ordered scaled back \u2014 cutting it from 11 days to five \u2014 citing high costs and his good relationship with Kim.<\/p>\n
Despite Trump\u2019s overtures, North Korea has shown little sign of reciprocating, firing missiles and condemning the downsized drills as well as Washington\u2019s approval of arms sales to South Korea and plans to fund programmes documenting human rights abuses in the North.<\/p>\n
Pyongyang has repeatedly declared itself an \u201cirreversible\u201d nuclear state since a 2019 summit between Kim and Trump in Hanoi collapsed over the scope of denuclearisation and sanctions relief. \u2014 AFP<\/p>\n
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