North Korea criticizes Trump's provocations and threatens consequences
Illustrative photo: North Korea plans to expand its nuclear arsenal (Getty Images)
The influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Kim Yo-jong, criticized the administration of US President Donald Trump for escalating provocations. She states that this justifies the strengthening of North Korea's nuclear deterrent forces, according to Reuters.
Kim condemned the visit of the US aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson to South Korea on Sunday, March 2, calling it part of the "policy of confrontation" against the North.
She stated, "As soon as its new administration appeared this year, the U.S. has stepped up the political and military provocations against the DPRK, 'carrying forward' the former administration's hostile policy."
According to Kim, such a hostile stance from the US provides Pyongyang with sufficient grounds to strengthen its nuclear deterrent forces indefinitely.
Kim also criticized the deployment of US B-1B Lancer strategic bombers over the Korean Peninsula during joint exercises with the US and Japan.
Furthermore, she denounced the commitment made by the three allies at the Munich Security Conference in February, which called for the denuclearization of the North.
South Korea's Ministry of Defense stated that Kim Yo-jong's comments were deceitful attempts to justify North Korea's nuclear missile development.
"North Korea's nuclear weapons are never acceptable, and the only way for North Korea to survive is to abandon its obsession and delusion about nuclear (weapons)," the ministry said in a statement.
US aircraft carrier visit to South Korea
On Sunday, March 2, South Korea's military reported the arrival of the US aircraft carrier in the southern port city of Busan. The visit is meant to demonstrate strength in the face of North Korea.
The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Carl Vinson is the first US aircraft carrier to dock in a South Korean port since the beginning of President Trump's second term in January.
During his first term, President Trump held unprecedented summits with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, boasting of their rapport.
At the beginning of February this year, Trump stated that he would continue to cooperate with Kim Jong-un.
North Korea's nuclear threats
North Korea is amassing troops and developing new weapons, including nuclear arms. At the same time, Pyongyang is strengthening cooperation with Russia.
Recently, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the testing of strategic cruise missiles and ordered the country's nuclear forces to be kept in full readiness.
Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Chief Intelligence Directorate head Kyrylo Budanov stated that North Korea had sent military personnel to Russia's Kursk region to assist in modernizing its army, which he described as a serious global threat.
In early February, the North Korean leader expressed support for Russia's war against Ukraine and announced plans to continue assisting Moscow from Pyongyang.
