North vows to strengthen nuclear arsenal regardless of U.S. election results

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un pledged to strengthen the country's nuclear deterrence against the United States irrespective of the outcome of the upcoming U.S. presidential election.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un delivers a speech during a ceremony to transfer a new tactical ballistic missile weapon system to front-line units taking place in Pyongyang on Sunday, in this photo provided by the North's official Korean Central News Agency. [YONHAP]

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un pledged to strengthen the country's nuclear deterrence against the United States, labeling it a "hostile state" that North Korea will contend with for generations, irrespective of the outcome of the upcoming U.S. presidential election.

"The United States we are facing is not just an administration that governs and then steps down after a few years, but a hostile entity that our descendants will continue to confront across generations," Kim said during a speech at a ceremony on Sunday marking the transfer of a new tactical ballistic missile system, as reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) Monday. "This highlights the necessity of constant enhancement of our defense capabilities."

Kim appeared at the ceremony with his daughter, Kim Ju-ae, her first public appearance in 83 days since a ceremony marking a newly built street in northern Pyongyang in May. Kim’s comments reflect ongoing trauma from failed North Korea-U.S. negotiations across the Obama, Trump and Biden administrations.

"Both dialogue and confrontation can be our choices, but the most thorough preparation must be for confrontation, which is the conclusion and consistent stance we have maintained over the past 30 years of DPRK-U.S. relations," Kim said. "Possessing strong military capabilities is a duty and right that a sovereign state must never neglect or compromise."

The DPRK is the official name for North Korea.

Kim’s statements suggest that North Korea will continue enhancing its nuclear deterrence regardless of the outcome of the U.S. presidential election. This aligns with North Korea's long-standing confrontational stance towards the U.S., highlighted by increasing anti-U.S. rhetoric as the election approaches.

On July 23, North Korea first addressed the U.S. election in a KCNA commentary, dismissing former President Donald Trump’s remarks about his friendship with Kim. "He that puts on a public gown must put off a private person," the commentary said, emphasizing the need to "distinguish between state foreign policy and personal feelings."

On Sunday, North Korea held a ceremony in Pyongyang to transfer 250 new tactical ballistic missile launchers to frontier military units. Newly revealed pictures of the launchers appear to include launchers for the Hwasong-11Ra short-range ballistic missile. The ceremony comes ahead of the upcoming U.S.-South Korea joint military exercise, Ulchi Freedom Shield.

BY SEO JI-EUN [seo.jieun1@joongang.co.kr]