An emboldened Kim flaunts nuclear ambitions while leaving room for U.S. talks

"It is our party's firm and unwavering will to further strengthen state nuclear forces and thoroughly exercise nuclear-armed state status. Kim declared North Korea's nuclear program as permanent and completely and absolutely irreversible, vowing to expand nuclear-capable munitions and arguing that weapons are necessary to protect North Korea's interests in a shifting geopolitical landscape."

"Kim said North Korea is open to restarting talks with Washington only if the United States ends its hostile policies and accepts Pyongyang's nuclear status - a tall order, given the long-standing U.S. policy to pursue North Korea's denuclearization. Pyongyang views U.S. joint military drills with South Korea and U.S.-led international sanctions as hostile acts."

"North Korea now has about 50 nuclear warheads and has enough fissile material to produce up to 40 more, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, which tracks the global arms trade. Kim announced new weapons systems including sea-launched long-range ballistic missiles capable of reaching the continental U.S. and artificial intelligence-powered unmanned systems."

North Korea has significantly advanced its nuclear capabilities over seven years of stalled negotiations with the United States. Leader Kim Jong Un declared the nuclear program permanent and irreversible, announcing plans for new weapons systems including sea-launched ballistic missiles, multiple-launch rocket systems, and AI-powered unmanned systems. North Korea currently possesses approximately 50 nuclear warheads with fissile material for 40 additional warheads. Kim indicated willingness to restart talks with Washington only if the U.S. ends hostile policies and accepts North Korea's nuclear status. Pyongyang considers U.S. military drills with South Korea and international sanctions as hostile acts, demanding policy changes as preconditions for negotiations.

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