North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has vowed to strengthen his country’s nuclear capabilities "without limits" in response to perceived threats from the US, Japan, and South Korea, according to state media reports. Speaking at a conference for Battalion Commanders and Political Instructors of the Korean People’s Army (KPA) on Friday, Kim urged military officials to prioritize completing war preparations.

Kim's comments come amid escalating tensions between North Korea, the US, and its allies. He criticized the growing military alliance between the US, South Korea, and Japan, describing it as a major threat to regional peace and stability. Kim particularly pointed to the US transforming its relationship with South Korea into a "complete nuclear alliance" and pushing for a version of NATO in Asia. He accused the US of expanding its military alliances globally, which he claims is focused on targeting North Korea, its "most hostile enemy."

In his speech, Kim emphasized the urgency of enhancing North Korea’s nuclear deterrent, saying that the country would not rest on its current capabilities but would continuously strengthen them. He also expressed concerns about the "US war merchants" fueling conflicts by supplying military aid to Ukraine and Israel, further escalating global tensions.

North Korea has also been deepening its military ties with Russia since the start of the war in Ukraine. Earlier this month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that North Korean troops had engaged in combat with Ukrainian forces, with reports suggesting that thousands of North Korean soldiers are now stationed in Russia's Kursk region. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin labeled the North's involvement as a "very serious" escalation.

As part of North Korea's growing military activities, Kim has overseen tests of "suicide attack" drones, which the state media said were designed to target enemy positions on land and at sea with precision. These drones are expected to be mass-produced soon. Kim’s focus on bolstering North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities, as well as strengthening its military preparedness, underscores his commitment to countering what he perceives as an increasing military threat from the West.

Despite Kim's aggressive rhetoric, the situation has drawn condemnation from the US, Japan, and South Korea, who recently held a trilateral summit to discuss North Korea's expanding military cooperation with Russia. This partnership, formalized with a strategic treaty signed during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Pyongyang earlier this year, includes provisions for mutual assistance if either country faces external threats.

Kim’s remarks and the continued testing of new weaponry highlight North Korea's ongoing efforts to enhance its military capabilities and assert its stance against what it views as external aggression.