Kim Jong Un says North Korea must ‘rapidly expand’ nuclear arsenal amid US-South Korea drills

AI Summary

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un criticized the joint US-South Korea military drills as provocative and a rehearsal for war, according to state media. He emphasized the need for North Korea to rapidly expand its nuclear arsenal in response to the perceived threat, citing the exercises' inclusion of a "nuclear element." Kim's remarks come as South Korea and the US conduct their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, which Pyongyang views as hostile. The exercises are expected to be a topic of discussion at an upcoming meeting between US President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.