North Korea accuses the US of causing the collapse of the international nuclear arms control system

MADRID, 4 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) -

North Korea has blamed the United States for the collapse of the international nuclear arms control system and has thus defended the need for its military nuclear program as a deterrent tool.

"Nuclear deterrence guarantees a balance of power in the region and strong physical security to prevent the outbreak of another war," the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained in a statement collected by the North Korean news agency KCNA.

For this reason, Pyongyang has defended the need to reinforce and increase its nuclear program and has denounced that the increase in military activity by the United States and its allies in the area is increasing the risk of armed conflict on the Korean peninsula, according to the South Korean news agency Yonhap.

This statement thus responds to Russia's announcement to withdraw from the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) coinciding with the first anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine because Russia "must be prepared to carry out nuclear tests if the United States carries them out first". , in the words of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

It also responds to the announcement of new joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea. The Shield of Freedom maneuvers will take place between February 13 and 23.

These exercises also coincide in time with the Warrior Shield exercise to reinforce the training programs and improve their "realism".