Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, promises to advance nuclear weapons.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un condemned the military collaboration between the United States, Japan, and South Korea for escalating tensions in the area and pledged to implement counteractions, such as advancing nuclear capabilities. Kim indicated that U.S. deployments of nuclear strategic assets, military drills, and defense collaboration with Japan and South Korea were creating a military imbalance in the region and posing a serious threat to the security landscape, according to state media KCNA on Sunday.

“The DPRK seeks to avoid unnecessary regional tension but will implement ongoing countermeasures to maintain military stability in the region,” Kim stated during his visit to the defense ministry on Saturday to mark the Army’s founding day. DPRK represents the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which is the official title of North Korea. U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he would engage with North Korea following a Friday meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, as they voiced worries about its nuclear program.

However, the report states that Kim “reiterated once more the steadfast policy of further enhancing the nuclear capabilities” during the visit.

On Russia’s war with Ukraine , Kim said: “The army and people of the DPRK will invariably support and encourage the just cause of the Russian army and people to defend their sovereignty, security and territorial integrity in keeping with the spirit of the treaty on the comprehensive strategic partnership between the DPRK and Russia.”

Last month, South Korea indicated it believed North Korea was readying to send additional troops to Russia, alongside the approximately 11,000 soldiers who had already been deployed for the three-year conflict. In another statement issued later on Sunday, North Korea’s KCNA reiterated its condemnation of South Korea’s military cooperation with the United States this year and cautioned that hostile actions would lead to unwelcome repercussions.

“Anyone could easily guess how we would take the fact that they carried out war exercises that were more intense than ever before at a time when diplomacy schedules were being cancelled due to political turmoil,” KCNA said.