North Korea threatens US with nuclear response

^{Photo: Reuters}
North Korea has doubled its efforts to build up its nuclear forces, threatening to use "strategic means" to counter military cooperation between the United States and South Korea, Newsweek reported.

The publication notes that Pyongyang has a limited number of intercontinental ballistic missiles, which are believed to be capable of hitting targets throughout North America. A senior US Air Force official warned that any such attack would have dire consequences.

According to a statement from the North Korean Ministry of Defense Information Office, the administration of US President Donald Trump has already "stepped up US provocations that threaten the security of the DPRK."

The report notes that increasing the combat capabilities of the DPRK armed forces, based on nuclear deterrence, is a fair and necessary option for "countering the strategic threat of the United States and other enemies with strategic means."

In early February, Japan's NHK television and radio company reported that North Korea plans to create drones developed jointly with Russia this year.

^{Photo: Reuters}
According to the publication's sources, the countries have reached an agreement, according to which the DPRK will receive technical assistance from Russia to create several types of drones for mass production.

The sources also said that the deal was made in exchange for sending North Korean soldiers to help Russia in its offensive against Ukraine. At the same time, the interlocutors noted that Russia does not want to help the DPRK develop nuclear weapons.

Cooperation between Russia and the DPRK

Russia and North Korea have been strengthening military cooperation since the start of the war. In June 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea and signed a comprehensive strategic agreement with Kim Jong-un, which includes mutual support in the event of an attack, as well as cooperation against Western sanctions.

The Ukrainian army captured two North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region. President Volodymyr Zelensky released a video of their interrogation on January 12. During the interrogation, he stressed that he did not know where the DPRK soldiers were and that they were told that this was just a training exercise. Follow “Zamin” news on “Telegram”