Kim’s remarks come amid heightened military activity in the region, including trilateral military drills by the United States, South Korea, and Japan in the Sea of Japan. These exercises, involving a U.S. Navy destroyer and vessels from Japan and South Korea equipped with the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System, simulated the interception of ballistic missiles.
The North Korean leader also hinted at the possibility of nuclear conflict, blaming the "reckless confrontational moves" of the U.S. and other hostile forces for destabilizing the waters around the Korean Peninsula.
Kim Jong Un’s speech reflects a notable increase in North Korea’s defensive stance, as he called for full arming of naval units and the development of new strategic plans tailored to evolving naval warfare.
In a rare public appearance with his daughter, Kim sought to project a carefully curated image of the regime, a move that garnered global attention given the usual secrecy surrounding his family.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to comment specifically on Kim’s nuclear war remarks, citing the administration's general approach to such statements.
North Korea's heightened rhetoric during joint military exercises is a familiar pattern in its engagement with the international community.