North Korea hits out at Trump’s ‘pointless’ demands and vows to strengthen nuclear force

North Korea hits out at Trump’s ‘pointless’ demands and vows to strengthen nuclear force Trump has been seeking another summit with Kim Jong-un, following three meetings in 2018 and 2019 - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments North Korea declared on Monday that Washington’s hostile policy remains unchanged and pledged to continue strengthening its nuclear capabilities, rebuffing repeated American calls for denuclearization. In a statement released via state media KCNA, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson accused Washington of maintaining a confrontational stance through demands for Pyongyang's "complete denuclearisation," criticism of its human rights record, and upcoming joint military exercises with South Korea and Japan. "The Trump administration has thus fully reconfirmed its invariable hostile policy to wantonly violate the sovereignty, political system and security interests of the DPRK," the spokesperson said, referring to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The official described the country's nuclear arsenal as "an absolute guarantee for defending its sovereignty," adding that U.S. demands would not weaken its nuclear status. Expecting any easing of regional tensions is "pointless," the representative said. The official added that there is similarly "no change" in North Korea's policy toward the U.S. The statement follows U.S. President Donald Trump ordering a major scaling back of the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises between the U.S. and South Korea this month. Trump cited his "very good relationship" with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, calling the drills costly and unnecessarily hostile to Pyongyang. Trump has been seeking another summit with Kim, following three meetings in 2018 and 2019. Despite the reduction, Kim Yo Jong, the leader's sister, noted this month that the exercises remain provocative and aggressive even at a smaller scale. Separately, the U.S., South Korea, and Japan will hold the Freedom Edge exercise from September 7 to 11 to bolster coordination against missile and nuclear threats, per Seoul's military. North Korea has repeatedly condemned the trilateral exercise as a regional security threat. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments