North Korea’s Vice ​Defense Minister Kim Kang Il said on Thursday that ‌a ‌US ​arms ‌buildup ⁠justified the ​country’s efforts to ⁠strengthen its nuclear forces and ⁠that Pyongyang would ‌continue expanding ‌its ​defensive ‌nuclear deterrent.

Speaking ‌at China’s Xiangshan security forum, Kim ‌said North Korea would press ⁠ahead ⁠with measures to bolster its self-defensive nuclear deterrent capability.