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North Korea vice defence minister says US arms buildup justifies expanding nuclear force

By Thomson Reuters Sep 16, 2026 | 8:34 PM

Sept 17 (Reuters) – North Korea’s Vice Defence ​Minister ‌Kim Kang Il said on Thursday that ‌a ​U.S. ⁠arms buildup ⁠justified the country’s efforts to strengthen its ​nuclear forces and ⁠that ⁠Pyongyang would ​continue expanding its ​defensive nuclear deterrent.

Speaking ‌at China’s Xiangshan security forum, ⁠Kim said North Korea would press ⁠ahead ‌with measures ⁠to ​bolster ‌its self-defensive ​nuclear deterrent ⁠capability.

(Reporting by Kyu-seok Shim in SeoulEditing by Ed ​Davies)