North Korea pledges accelerated nuclear deterrence, citing US-South Korea drills

Senior Workers' Party official Kim Jong-sik announced North Korea will accelerate efforts to strengthen its nuclear deterrence, citing recent US-South Korean military exercises.

• Kim Jong-sik, a senior Workers' Party official, announced via state media KCNA that North Korea will accelerate efforts to strengthen its nuclear deterrence.
• The United States and South Korea held the "Iron Mace" drills from September 29 to October 2, integrating US nuclear capabilities with South Korean conventional forces.
• Kim described the drills as nuclear war training targeting North Korea and denounced the "Hoguk," "Freedom Flag," and US-Japan "Sharpened Sword" exercises.