North Korea vows to strengthen nuclear force after US-South Korea-Japan pledge

Pyongyang rejects denuclearization efforts, calling them outdated and vowing to expand its nuclear arsenal.

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya attend a joint press conference following their meeting at the Foreign Ministry in Seoul, South Korea, on January 13, 2025. Photo by Jung Yeon-je/Reuters

By Clarisa Sendy and Nada Fadiyah

North Korea has vowed to continue expanding its nuclear arsenal, rejecting a recent joint commitment by the United States, South Korea, and Japan to pursue its denuclearization. The announcement, made by Pyongyang’s foreign ministry on Tuesday, follows a high-level meeting between the three allies at a security conference in Munich.

Pyongyang dismisses denuclearization push as outdated

During Saturday’s talks in Munich, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, and Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi reaffirmed their commitment to achieving North Korea’s complete denuclearization. However, Pyongyang dismissed the effort, labeling it an “outdated, absurd” approach and warning against actions that could increase hostility and conflict.

“As long as the U.S. and its vassal forces’ hostile threat exists, the DPRK’s nukes are means for defending peace and sovereignty and a means for legitimate self-defense entrusted by the constitution of the state,” an unnamed spokesperson for North Korea’s foreign ministry said in a statement published by state media KCNA.

The spokesperson, referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), declared that Pyongyang would continue bolstering its nuclear force in response to what it perceives as threats from the United States and its allies.

South Korea rejects North Korea’s nuclear ambitions

South Korea’s foreign ministry swiftly condemned North Korea’s statement, urging Pyongyang to halt its illicit weapons programs and return to negotiations on denuclearization.

“North Korea will never be recognized as a nuclear weapons state,” ministry spokesperson Lee Jae-woong said during a press briefing. “We hope that they will realize that the development of nuclear weapons and missiles will only hinder their own security and economic development.”

North Korea’s missile tests and Trump’s influence

The three-way meeting in Munich was the first trilateral discussion since U.S. President Donald Trump returned to office. Trump, during his first term, held unprecedented summits with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, often highlighting their personal rapport.

However, recent intelligence assessments suggest that Pyongyang’s recent missile tests are, in part, an attempt to demonstrate its military capabilities to Washington and to gain Trump’s attention. According to South Korean lawmakers briefed by the National Intelligence Service, North Korea’s missile launches were likely designed to show off its deterrent capabilities against U.S. forces.

South Korea deploys new bunker-buster missile

As tensions with North Korea remain high, South Korea’s military announced on Tuesday that it has deployed a new domestically developed bunker-buster missile known as the Korean Tactical Surface-to-Surface Missile (KTSSM).

Nicknamed “Ure” (meaning thunder in Korean), the high-precision missile is designed for rapid, simultaneous strikes against North Korea’s long-range artillery systems. These systems pose a major threat to Seoul and surrounding areas in the event of a conflict.

According to South Korea’s military press release, the KTSSM is expected to play a key role in countering potential North Korean attacks by neutralizing enemy artillery positions in a short span of time.

Ongoing tensions and strategic shifts

North Korea’s latest statement reinforces its continued defiance against international pressure for denuclearization. As the United States, South Korea, and Japan strengthen their regional security coordination, Pyongyang is doubling down on its nuclear strategy.

With South Korea unveiling new missile capabilities and North Korea persisting in its weapons development, tensions on the Korean Peninsula remain high. The coming months may see further military provocations from Pyongyang as it seeks to assert its position in the face of renewed diplomatic pressure from Washington and its allies.