North Korea to increase number of nuclear weapons, says Kim Jong Un

Kim Jong Un the North Korean leader has vowed to intensify his efforts to fully prepare nuclear force for any combat and increase the number of nuclear weapons in the future state media reported on Tuesday.
This comes after North Korea revealed a new platform likely designed to fire more powerful intercontinental ballistic missiles. Kim has made similar statements in the past, but these latest declarations may signal upcoming weapons tests.
In a speech marking the 76th founding anniversary of his government, Kim stated that North Korea faces a "grave threat" due to the expansion of regional military alliances that are now developing nuclear capabilities.He emphasised that this development is pushing North Korea to bolster its military power, particularly its nuclear arsenal.
He declared that North Korea would "redouble its measures and efforts" to ensure its armed forces, including its nuclear capabilities, are fully prepared for combat. This comes amid North Korea’s continued protests against the rising military cooperation in the region, which it views as a direct threat.
Since 2022, North Korea has significantly increased its weapons testing, focusing on perfecting the capabilities of its long-range nuclear missiles. Many analysts believe that while North Korea may still face some technical challenges in developing missiles that can reach distant targets, it likely already possesses missiles capable of striking key targets in neighbouring countries.
Some experts suggest that North Korea may conduct further nuclear or missile tests shortly to solidify its position as a nuclear power.
Though no major military demonstrations were reported during the anniversary, recent images showed Kim inspecting what appeared to be a 12-axle missile launch vehicle, sparking speculation that North Korea is developing a new intercontinental ballistic missile larger than its existing models.