00:25North Korea has announced
00:27a major expansion of its nuclear capabilities,
00:31signaling that its weapons program will grow both in size and sophistication
00:36amid rising tensions with the United States and South Korea.
00:40According to North Korean state media KCNA,
00:45the announcement followed a meeting of the Central Military Commission
00:49chaired by leader Kim Jong-un.
00:51During the meeting, the commission approved measures
00:54to strengthen the country's nuclear forces,
00:57both in quality and quantity,
01:00as part of a broader military modernization plan.
01:03The move includes improving the technology,
01:07reliability, and diversity of North Korea's nuclear arsenal,
01:11while also increasing the number of nuclear weapons and delivery systems.
01:16The commission also approved plans to modernize combat systems,
01:21upgrade military infrastructure,
01:23standardize and improve military bases,
01:26and strengthen overall combat readiness.
01:30North Korea further announced an expanded role for its Reconnaissance General Bureau,
01:35the country's primary military intelligence agency,
01:39responsible for operations involving South Korea and U.S. forces.
01:43Pyongyang said these measures are a direct response
01:47to what it described as persistent military threats
01:51from the United States and South Korea.
01:54The regime insists that strengthening its nuclear deterrent
01:58is essential for national security and self-defense.
02:01The announcement is the latest step in Kim Jong-un's long-term military strategy.
02:08Over the past several years,
02:10North Korea has repeatedly pledged to rapidly expand its nuclear capabilities,
02:15including the development of solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles,
02:20tactical nuclear weapons,
02:23hypersonic missiles,
02:24nuclear-powered submarines,
02:26and military reconnaissance satellites.
02:29Analysts say the latest declaration reinforces Pyongyang's position
02:34that its nuclear weapons program is permanent and non-negotiable.
02:39The announcement comes as tensions remain high across the Korean peninsula,
02:44with regular joint military exercises by the United States and South Korea,
02:49and continued North Korean missile activity.
02:52While no new missile launch or nuclear test accompanied this announcement,
02:57similar statements in the past have often been followed by weapons demonstrations
03:02or military exercises.
03:05The United States, South Korea, and Japan
03:08are expected to closely monitor North Korea's next moves,
03:12with the latest announcement likely to draw renewed international scrutiny
03:16over Pyongyang's expanding nuclear ambitions.
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