N Korea condemns Nato summit

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, July 12, 2026

North Korea condemned the United States, NATO, and their allies for escalating military collaborations and arms buildups following the recent NATO summit, accusing them of threatening its sovereignty. This response underscores Pyongyang’s rejection of Western denuclearization efforts and its commitment to modernizing its nuclear arsenal amid rising regional and global security tensions.

North Korea sharply criticized the United States and its allies for escalating military cooperation and arms buildups following a recent NATO summit, according to a statement released by the North Korean Foreign Ministry on Saturday. The ministry accused NATO of portraying North Korea’s legitimate sovereign activities as a threat and of pursuing increased bloc-to-bloc confrontation.

The comments come after NATO leaders convened in Turkey on Tuesday and announced over $50 billion in military procurement and industrial agreements. These were part of efforts by European allies to respond to ongoing pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to increase their contributions to the alliance’s defense spending. Furthermore, NATO is reportedly strengthening partnerships with allies in the Asia-Pacific region.

Pyongyang condemned the summit as an indication that NATO functions as a body driven by war and geopolitical rivalry, jeopardizing peace and security across Europe and the Asia-Pacific. The North Korean government emphasized that its focus remains on protecting its sovereignty and security through the responsible exercise of its rights.

The statement reiterated Pyongyang’s stance that the Western-led push for its denuclearization is effectively over, suggesting that efforts should instead target the nuclear ambitions of South Korea, Japan, and some NATO members with nuclear-sharing arrangements. North Korea regards these countries’ nuclear activities as posing a greater threat.

Meanwhile, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, speaking at the margins of the NATO summit, expressed his hope for expanded cooperation between Seoul and NATO allies in research and development, including advanced technologies and weapons systems production.

In line with its declared commitment to strengthening its military, North Korea’s state media KCNA reported on Friday that leader Kim Jong Un has instructed efforts to modernize and increase the quantity and quality of the country’s nuclear forces.

The developments reflect enduring tensions on the Korean Peninsula and the broader challenges NATO faces as it seeks to adapt to shifting global security dynamics, including deepening collaboration with partners in the Asia-Pacific region.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.