Pyongyang [North Korea], August 20: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has threatened to accelerate the expansion of his country's nuclear arsenal, condemning ongoing United States-South Korea military exercises as a sign of "hostile intent", according to state media.
Kim, who made the remarks during a visit to a naval destroyer, called the drills "an obvious expression of their will to provoke war", according to a report published on Tuesday.
He insisted North Korea must "rapidly expand" its nuclear weapons programme, pointing to the inclusion of what he called "nuclear elements" in the drills.
The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield drills began this week, combining large-scale field manoeuvres with upgraded responses to what the US and South Korea claim are North Korea's growing nuclear capabilities.
The exercises will run for 11 days, with half of the 40 field training events rescheduled to September.
South Korean officials said the adjustment reflects President Lee Jae-myung's call to lower tensions, though analysts doubt Pyongyang will respond positively.
Seoul and Washington claim the exercises are purely defensive, but Pyongyang regularly denounces them as preparations for invasion and has often replied with weapons tests. (Agencies)
Source: Qatar Tribune
