Standing next to North Korea's main archers, leader Kim Jong Un said arms development in his country was necessary in view of US military policies and the deployment of troops in South Korea, State media reported on Tuesday.
Pyongyang was increasing its military defenses and not starting a war, Kim said in a statement at a defense conference on Monday, according to a KCNA report.
Kim made the remarks as he stood next to a variety of weapons, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), photos of the ruling Rodong Sinmun newspaper showed. Among them was Hwasong-16, North Korea's largest ICBM, which was unveiled at a military exhibition in October 2020, but has so far not been tested.
"We are not talking about wars with anyone, but rather preventing the war itself and escalating the war to fight and defend the sovereignty of the country," he said, adding that North Korea's greatest enemy is "the war itself".
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Both Koreans were in a fast-paced arm race, with both sides exploring progressive ballistic missiles and other weapons.
South Korea recently tested its first naval missile, plans to build large-scale weapons, including aircraft carriers, and buys American F-35 troops.
North Korea has continued its missile program, and analysts say it has begun a major expansion of its nuclear power plant, which is being used to produce nuclear bombs.
The United States has said it intends to hold talks with North Korea at any time. Pyongyang said he did not care as long as Washington adhered to policies such as sanctions and military operations in South Korea.
The United States' claims that it has no hostility toward North Korea are hard to believe in the ongoing "unjust judgments and actions," Kim said, without elaborating.
South Korea's national security adviser Suh Hoon is expected to meet with his US counterpart Jake Sullivan in Washington on Tuesday to discuss North Korea.
Arriving in Washington on Monday, Suh told the media that he planned to discuss President Moon Jae-in's proposal for an official declaration ending the 1950-1953 Korean War - which ended with a war, not a formal peace agreement - and easing sanctions in North Korea, Yonhap reported.
Last week the two Koreans returned their calls from North Americans a few months ago, Pyongyang urging Seoul to make efforts to improve relations after criticizing what it called double standards for arms embargoes. Learn more
South Korea's "unrestricted and dangerous" efforts to "strengthen its troops" are undermining the military balance on the Korean peninsula and increasing military instability and danger, "Kim said in a statement on Monday.
"Because of the absurd hypocrisy of suppressing our threats, South Korea has openly expressed its desire to gain power over us militarily at various times," he added.
Pyongyang was increasing its military defenses and not starting a war, Kim said in a statement at a defense conference on Monday, according to a KCNA report.
Kim made the remarks as he stood next to a variety of weapons, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), photos of the ruling Rodong Sinmun newspaper showed. Among them was Hwasong-16, North Korea's largest ICBM, which was unveiled at a military exhibition in October 2020, but has so far not been tested.
"We are not talking about wars with anyone, but rather preventing the war itself and escalating the war to fight and defend the sovereignty of the country," he said, adding that North Korea's greatest enemy is "the war itself".
Both Koreans were in a fast-paced arm race, with both sides exploring progressive ballistic missiles and other weapons.
South Korea recently tested its first naval missile, plans to build large-scale weapons, including aircraft carriers, and buys American F-35 troops.
North Korea has continued its missile program, and analysts say it has begun a major expansion of its nuclear power plant, which is being used to produce nuclear bombs.
The United States has said it intends to hold talks with North Korea at any time. Pyongyang said he did not care as long as Washington adhered to policies such as sanctions and military operations in South Korea.
The United States' claims that it has no hostility toward North Korea are hard to believe in the ongoing "unjust judgments and actions," Kim said, without elaborating.
South Korea's national security adviser Suh Hoon is expected to meet with his US counterpart Jake Sullivan in Washington on Tuesday to discuss North Korea.
Arriving in Washington on Monday, Suh told the media that he planned to discuss President Moon Jae-in's proposal for an official declaration ending the 1950-1953 Korean War - which ended with a war, not a formal peace agreement - and easing sanctions in North Korea, Yonhap reported.
Last week the two Koreans returned their calls from North Americans a few months ago, Pyongyang urging Seoul to make efforts to improve relations after criticizing what it called double standards for arms embargoes. Learn more
South Korea's "unrestricted and dangerous" efforts to "strengthen its troops" are undermining the military balance on the Korean peninsula and increasing military instability and danger, "Kim said in a statement on Monday.
"Because of the absurd hypocrisy of suppressing our threats, South Korea has openly expressed its desire to gain power over us militarily at various times," he added.
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