North Korea Announces ‘Exponential’ U.S. Expands Nuclear Weapons Program to Target South Korea

North Korea dictator Kim Jong Un Ordered an “exponential” expansion of his country’s nuclear arsenal, state media reported on Sunday.

Kim has made repeated promises to ramp up North Korea’s nuclear weapons program and build out its stockpile to counter what he says is U.S. aggression, according to the Associated Press. Experts estimated North Korea has many nuclear warheads. A 2021 study put the number at 116.

“They are now keen on isolating and stifling [North Korea], unprecedented in human history,” According to state media, Kim spoke at a recent meeting of the ruling party. “The prevailing situation calls for making redoubled efforts to overwhelmingly beef up the military muscle.”

Kim called for “an exponential increase of the country’s nuclear arsenal” South Korea was targeted with tactical nuclear weapons. A government mission was announced to develop a weapon capable to strike the United States.

As North Korea ramps up its missile testing, tensions have been growing between the Democratic neighbor to South Korea and North Korea. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol recently spoke to his top military commanders. “our security situation is still very grave,” According to the AP.

South Korea’s military warned that any attempt by Kim’s government to use a nuclear weapon “will lead to the end of the Kim Jong Un government.”

Yoon told a South Korean newspaper that he is seeking closer cooperation with the United States to monitor and restrict North Korea’s nuclear weapons program.

“While the nuclear weapons belong to the US, intel sharing, planning, and training should be done jointly,” Yoon stated that according to Bloomberg. “The US’s stance is quite positive.”

North Korea’s 2022 ended with the test of three ballistic missiles in the Sea of Japan. These launches were made one day after South Korea had tested a rocket in its program to create a space-based surveillance system that would monitor North Korea.

South Korea’s top military leadership called Tests of ballistic missiles “a grave provocation.”

According to South Korean authorities, North Korea flew drones over its southern border last week for the first time since 2005. South Korea responded by flying drones in North Korean airspace.

North Korea increased its weapon testing in 2022 and tested more than 70 missiles.

Experts say that North Korea’s behavior, along with Kim’s recent comments on his country’s nuclear ambitions, shows an emboldened North Korea that may be able to support its bluster.

“Kim’s comments from the party meeting reads like an ambitious — but perhaps achievable — New Year’s resolution list,” Soo Kim, a security analyst at RAND Corporation, told the AP. “It’s ambitious in that Kim consciously chose to spell out what he hopes to accomplish as we head into 2023, but it also suggests a dose of confidence on Kim’s part.”