Why is North Korea expanding its nuclear arsenal despite regional calls for denuclearisation?

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North Korea Cites Regional Military Modernisation and Escalation Risks for Nuclear Arsenal Expansion

North Korea is expanding its nuclear arsenal, including plans to equip its navy with nuclear weapons and develop larger warships, citing the military modernisation efforts of South Korea and the United States as pushing the region towards a nuclear war. Leader Kim Jong Un has stated these actions are a response to perceived threats, framing the country's nuclear program as a necessary measure for self-defence. This stance has been reiterated since the 2019 Hanoi summit, where North Korea declared itself an "irreversible" nuclear state.
Perceived Escalation from Regional Military Modernisation

Pyongyang's leadership has explicitly linked its defence build-up to the military modernisation undertaken by South Korea and the United States. Kim Jong Un has articulated that these regional developments are escalating tensions to a point where the area is "on the brink of a nuclear war." This rhetoric suggests that North Korea views the increased military capabilities of its neighbours and allies as a direct threat that necessitates a commensurate expansion of its own strategic assets.
Commitment to Nuclear Weaponisation of Naval Forces

A significant aspect of North Korea's stated intent involves the expansion and nuclearisation of its naval capabilities. Reports indicate a vow to equip the navy with nuclear weapons and to construct larger warships. This move signals a strategic intent to enhance its deterrence posture and potentially project power beyond its immediate borders, representing a notable escalation in its nuclear ambitions.
Historical Context of the Korean Peninsula Conflict

The ongoing tension on the Korean Peninsula is underscored by the fact that North Korea and South Korea remain technically at war. The Korean War, which concluded in 1953, did so by an armistice agreement rather than a formal peace treaty. This unresolved state of conflict provides a historical backdrop against which North Korea's pursuit of nuclear capabilities can be understood as a long-standing strategy for national security and regime survival.

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Why is North Korea expanding its nuclear arsenal despite regional calls for denuclearisation?

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