North Korea has reiterated its commitment to expanding its nuclear weapons program, rejecting recent overtures from the United States and accusing Washington of maintaining a hostile stance. A Foreign Ministry spokesman in Pyongyang made the comments on Monday, emphasizing that North Korea’s nuclear arsenal serves as a critical safeguard for its sovereignty.

The spokesman criticized the US government for its continued demand that North Korea fully denuclearize, describing this position as evidence of Washington’s unchanging antagonism. He also highlighted the planned joint military exercises between the United States, South Korea, and Japan scheduled for the following week as further confirmation of ongoing threats.

In a statement carried by the North Korean state news agency KCNA, the spokesman insisted that the country’s nuclear weapons program remains essential for regional peace and security. He characterized the maintenance and further development of the nuclear arsenal as the “most responsible and correct option” to protect North Korea’s independence and ensure stability in the region.

The reaffirmation of Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions underscores the continued tension on the Korean Peninsula amid stalled diplomatic efforts and ongoing military cooperation among the United States, South Korea, and Japan.