North Korean Leader Calls for More Nuclear Weapons Due to the 'New Cold War.'

North Korea Vows Nuclear Buildup as Kim Calls for Alliance Against US

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has directed a massive expansion of his country's nuclear weapons program while advocating a united front with Russia and China against the US-led West. State media reported Thursday that Kim ordered exponential growth in nuclear production during a legislative session.

The rubber-stamp parliament also amended the constitution to enshrine Kim's policy of rapidly advancing North Korea's nuclear capabilities. Kim portrayed the moves as imperative for national defense amid a "new Cold War" environment.

The provocative nuclear expansion follows Kim's recent meeting with Russian President Putin as Western nations worry about a Russia-North Korea arms alliance. In exchange for munitions to aid Russia's flailing Ukraine campaign, Moscow could provide advanced technologies to boost North Korea's nukes and missiles.

But the constitution change signals Kim's long-term commitment to amassing nuclear deterrence regardless of immediate aid from Russia. He is forging ahead while exploiting global divides to reduce North Korea's isolation.

North Korea Formalizes Right to Grow Nuclear Forces

The revised constitution now proclaims North Korea's right to develop its nuclear forces and forbids any dissent. It mandates policies to "exponentially" increase fissile materials production and diversify nuclear delivery systems.

The moves defy global sanctions aimed at curbing North Korea's nuclear and missile advancements. But Kim intends to make his nuclear push irreversible and silence critics as he enters a new phase of accelerated expansion.

Kim Cites External Threats and Asian NATO to Justify Nukes

Kim justified his nuclear buildup by alleging growing threats from a hostile US, along with its expanding military collaboration with regional allies South Korea and Japan. He compared their trilateral security partnership to a threatening Asian version of NATO.

But foreign experts dispute this narrative, pointing to North Korea's history of unprovoked aggression and weapons proliferation destabilizing regional security. Kim's rhetoric aims to rally domestic support and paint the nuclear program as essential self-defense.

North Korea Rejects Calls for Denuclearization

The developments clearly repudiate any prospects for Kim relinquishing his nuclear arms under international pressure. North Korea also enshrined in law its right to preemptive nuclear attacks if the leadership perceives grave threats.

By framing external hostility as justifying its nuclear status, Pyongyang leaves little room for reversing course. The moves are likely to worsen tensions on the Korean Peninsula that are already at the highest levels in years.

A Strategic Recalibration Towards Russia and China

Kim's messaging urges unity with Russia and China against Western domination. This reflects North Korea's strategic recalibration after failed nuclear negotiations with the US.

With talks stalled, Kim now seeks to maximize leverage by playing rival powers off one another. But Russia and China also maintain complex strategic priorities beyond aiding North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

Nonetheless, even the semblance of a united anti-US front across Russia, China and North Korea is worrisome for Washington. Turning Pyongyang into a permanent nuclear power critically damages US interests in Asia.

Factors Driving North Korea's Nuclear Escalation

Several key reasons explain North Korea's renewed nuclear provocations:

• Offset conventional military disadvantages vis-à-vis the US, South Korea and Japan
• Deter any potential external intervention into the regime
• Burnish Kim's leadership credentials at home
• Extract international aid and sanctions relief
• Boost North Korea's global prestige and strategic clout
• Create division among great powers to exploit for benefits

A High Risk Doctrine Fraught With Instability

However, experts warn North Korea's aggressive nuclear posturing also carries major hazards:

• Risks overwhelming retaliation from adversaries
• Spark a destabilizing regional arms race
• Divert scarce resources from economic development
• Isolate North Korea from international cooperation
• Increase chances of catastrophic miscalculation

North Korea's Growing Nuclear Arsenal Poses Global Risks

US officials estimate Pyongyang may already possess around 60 nuclear warheads, with capacity to expand its arsenal substantially in coming years through domestic production.

Alongside ongoing missile tests, this nuclear buildup severely threatens regional security and global non-proliferation efforts. De-escalation ultimately requires reciprocity from Pyongyang.

For now, Kim seems undeterred on his atomic path despite sanctions. Confronting North Korea's blossoming nuclear capabilities will test diplomacy and military deterrence in unprecedented ways.

Kim's removing any ambiguity on his nuclear aims has vast implications. The world hoped positive change in North Korea remained possible. But its rigid constitutional enshrinement of nuclear armament may slam shut that window for the foreseeable future.

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