North Korea has advanced its nuclear program to the extent that it can now produce between 10 and 20 nuclear weapons each year, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung warned on Monday.
According to the Peace Research Institute, the country has already developed around 50 warheads and possesses fissile material sufficient for up to 40 more nuclear bombs.
President Lee blamed the previous administration’s hardline policies and lack of diplomacy with Pyongyang for enabling North Korea to expand its nuclear arsenal unchecked.
Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced his intention to meet Kim Jong-un later this year, while also preparing for renewed trade talks with South Korea. Lee made his first official visit to the White House on Monday.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un announced plans to expand his country’s nuclear weapons stockpile while inspecting a naval destroyer. He accused the U.S. and South Korea of including nuclear elements in joint military drills, which Pyongyang views as invasion rehearsals. Seoul and Washington insist the exercises are defensive. South Korea’s defense ministry said live-fire drills will continue despite border tensions. Experts warn of possible North Korean retaliation, while President Lee Jae-myung urged peace and de-escalation on the peninsula.

North Korea’s Kim Yo Jong, sister of leader Kim Jong Un, has firmly rejected South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s attempts to improve inter-Korean relations. She condemned recent conciliatory steps like stopping loudspeaker propaganda along the border as mistakes and warned South Korea against expecting a change through emotional appeals. Kim also criticized Seoul’s “blind faith” in the US alliance and declared no interest in dialogue or meetings with South Korea, maintaining the long-standing tensions between the two nations.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has directed his military to maintain full readiness for real war, urging forces to develop the capability to annihilate enemies in combat. He issued the order while observing a live-fire artillery drill. The warning comes amid increasing North Korean military support for Russia in the Ukraine war. Intelligence reports suggest Pyongyang has sent weapons and troops, with hundreds reportedly killed. Kim also pledged full backing for Moscow and signed a mutual defense pact with Putin during a rare summit.

North Korea has vowed to fully back Russia in the Ukraine war, with leader Kim Jong-un assuring Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov of unconditional support. Talks in Wonsan highlighted military cooperation, including a mutual defense pact. Reports suggest North Korea may send up to 30,000 troops and has already supplied missiles and artillery shells to Russia. Satellite images show active transport between the two countries. Analysts warn Russia may be helping North Korea with weapons technology in return for its support.

North Korea has strongly condemned the recent reaffirmation by the Quad alliance—comprising the U.S., Australia, Japan, and India—of its commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Pyongyang labeled the Quad’s stance a “grave political provocation” and accused the group of attempting to unilaterally alter regional dynamics through coercive measures.

North Korea also criticized the United States for allegedly fabricating "cyber threats" against the regime, warning that such provocations could lead to serious consequences.

North Korea is reportedly preparing to send up to 30,000 troops to fight for Russia in Ukraine, according to a Ukrainian intelligence report cited by CNN. This would nearly triple the current number of North Korean soldiers aiding Moscow. Previously, 11,000 troops were deployed in 2024, with many casualties reported. Russia is equipping and integrating them into its units for potential offensives. Increased military transport activity has been observed, and Pyongyang is also sending construction workers and deminers to support Russia’s efforts near the Ukrainian front.

A spokesperson for North Korea’s Foreign Ministry condemned the U.S. airstrikes on Iran as a violation of the UN Charter. Blaming Israel's ongoing military actions and land-grabbing policies for the crisis, the official claimed such behavior is enabled by Western support. “The international community must unite in condemning and rejecting the provocative and confrontational actions of the U.S. and Israel,” the statement read.

South Korea’s military has confirmed that North Korea launched 10 multiple-launch missiles from Sunan, near Pyongyang, toward the northwest. While specific details are still limited, officials noted that the projectiles are believed to be short-range ballistic missiles. Such missile tests violate United Nations Security Council resolutions, which North Korea continues to disregard.

North Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed deep concern over Israel's military actions in Iran, strongly condemning what it describes as the "mass killing of civilians" as a crime against humanity. The ministry warned that these state-sponsored terrorist attacks could escalate into a full-scale war in the Middle East. It also accused Israel—backed by the United States and Western powers—of acting like a "cancerous entity" in the region and posing a serious threat to global peace and security.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has warned his enemies to be prepared for a nuclear strike, according to a Reuters report on Friday. Following his statement, North Korea launched a series of cruise missiles in what state media described as a demonstration of the country’s nuclear strike capabilities. Kim declared that safeguarding North Korea’s sovereignty and security depends on its nuclear forces, emphasizing their constant state of readiness. Throughout his speech, he directed strong criticism at the United States and South Korea, intensifying tensions in the region.

Facing heavy losses, North Korea withdrew its troops from Russia’s Kursk battlefield in January, according to South Korean claims. Reports suggest that around 10,000 North Korean soldiers were deployed, with over 300 killed and 2,700 either injured or captured. Earlier, Ukrainian military experts claimed that North Korean troops had fled the battlefield due to severe casualties.