Standing in front of nuclear missiles, Kim Jong Un says US causing ‘tension’

In new type of weapon exhibition, Kim Jong Un stresses ‘defensive’ capabilities and criticizes South Korean arms buildup

Chaewon Chung | Colin Zwirko | Jeongmin Kim | Won-Gi Jung October 11, 2021

Standing in front of nuclear missiles, Kim Jong Un says US causing ‘tension’

Image: Rodong Sinmun, Oct. 12, 2021 | Kim Jong Un talks with top military officials in front of the country's largest nuclear missile, the unofficially named Hwasong-16, which North Korea has never tested

North Korea showed off its latest nuclear missiles and other weapons at the “Self-Defense 2021” meeting in Pyongyang Monday, as leader Kim Jong Un accused the U.S. and South Korea of creating tensions while emphasizing North Korea’s defensive posture.

Surrounded by intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and giant portraits of himself in military uniform, Kim said that “the U.S. is creating regional tension with wrong decisions and action” and that he does not trust Washington’s claim that it has no hostile intent towards Pyongyang, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) and party-run Rodong Sinmun.

About the Authors

Chaewon Chung

Chaewon Chung is a Seoul correspondent at NK News. Before joining NK News, she covered disinformation and technology with a focus on the Korean Peninsula at Coda Story.

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Colin Zwirko

Colin Zwirko is a Senior Analytic Correspondent for NK News based in Seoul. Follow him on Twitter @ColinZwirko.

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Jeongmin Kim

Jeongmin Kim is a correspondent at NK News, based in Seoul. She previously worked for the CSIS Korea Chair and in the Seoul bureau of Reuters news agency. Follow her on Twitter @jeongminnkim

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Won-Gi Jung

Won-Gi Jung is a reporter based in Seoul. He previously worked for the CSIS Korea Chair and East Asia Institute. Follow him on Twitter: @jungwongida.

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