North Korea says hostile US policy unchanged, vows to strengthen nuclear force

North Korea notes hostile US policy unchanged, vows to strengthen nuclear force.

Key points

• Trump cited his "very good relationship" with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and remarked the drills were costly and sent an unnecessarily hostile signal to Pyongyang.
• Separately, the US, South Korea and Japan are due to hold the Freedom Edge exercise.
• North Korea remarked on Monday the United States' hostile policy remained unchanged and vowed to continue strengthening its nuclear force, rejecting repeated US calls for its denuclearisation.
• There is likewise "no change" in North Korea's policy toward the US, the official remarked.
• North Korea has repeatedly denounced the trilateral drill as a threat to regional security.

North Korea notes hostile US policy unchanged, vows to strengthen nuclear force. Reuters Published August 31, 2026 Updated August 31, 2026 12: 24pm. Join our Whatsapp Channel. Add Dawn as a trusted source.

In an official note carried by state media KCNA, a foreign ministry spokesperson accused Washington of maintaining a confrontational stance through its commitment to the "complete denuclearisation" of North Korea, criticism of the country's human rights record and planned 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 (Democratic People's Republic of Korea), " the spokesperson remarked.

For context, the spokesperson remarked North Korea's nuclear weapons were "an absolute guarantee for defending its sovereignty" and that its nuclear status would not be weakened by repeated US denuclearisation demands.

For context, the spokesperson additionally stated expecting any easing of regional tensions was "pointless".

For context, the statement came after US President Donald Trump this month ordered a major scaling back of the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises between the United States and South Korea.

Trump has been seeking a new summit with the North Korean leader. The two met three times in 2018 and 2019.

Despite the drills reduction, Kim Yo Jong, the North Korean leader's sister, remarked this month the exercises remained provocative and aggressive even if their scale and duration were reduced.

Separately, the US, South Korea and Japan are due to hold the Freedom Edge exercise. It is intended to improve coordination against nuclear and missile threats, from September 7 to 11, according to Seoul's military.

For now, north Korea says hostile US policy unchanged, vows to strengthen nuclear force remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.