North Korea denounces NATO pledge to increase defense spending as ‘criminal act’



News North Korea denounces NATO pledge to increase defense spending as ‘criminal act’ Commentary accuses transatlantic alliance of exacerbating military tensions in Asia-Pacific and threatening peace Joon Ha Park July 1, 2025 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON U.S. President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte speak during the NATO Summit at The Hague on June 25. \| Image: NATO North Korea has strongly condemned NATO’s new pledge for member states to increase defense spending to 5% of their gross domestic product (GDP), accusing the alliance of heightening military tensions in the Asia-Pacific region. A commentary published by the ruling party newspaper Rodong Sinmun on Tuesday described NATO as “the most typical war bloc” and stated that the new defense spending target was “undeniably aimed at enhancing war capabilities.” North Korea has strongly condemned NATO’s new pledge for member states to increase defense spending to 5% of their gross domestic product (GDP), accusing the alliance of heightening military tensions in the Asia-Pacific region. A commentary published by the ruling party newspaper Rodong Sinmun on Tuesday described NATO as “the most typical war bloc” and stated that the new defense spending target was “undeniably aimed at enhancing war capabilities.” Try unlimited access Only $1 for four weeks Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

News

North Korea denounces NATO pledge to increase defense spending as ‘criminal act’

Commentary accuses transatlantic alliance of exacerbating military tensions in Asia-Pacific and threatening peace

Joon Ha Park July 1, 2025

North Korea denounces NATO pledge to increase defense spending as ‘criminal act’

U.S. President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte speak during the NATO Summit at The Hague on June 25. | Image: NATO

North Korea has strongly condemned NATO’s new pledge for member states to increase defense spending to 5% of their gross domestic product (GDP), accusing the alliance of heightening military tensions in the Asia-Pacific region.

A commentary published by the ruling party newspaper Rodong Sinmun on Tuesday described NATO as “the most typical war bloc” and stated that the new defense spending target was “undeniably aimed at enhancing war capabilities.”

Try unlimited access
Only $1 for four weeks

Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis
Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period
The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop
Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns
Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting

Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts.

Subscribe now

All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time.

North Korea denounces NATO pledge to increase defense spending as ‘criminal act’

Try unlimited accessOnly $1 for four weeks

Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most –

as selected by

One more step!

Trending

Recent Stories

About the Author

Joon Ha Park

Try unlimited access
Only $1 for four weeks

Start your day with
the North Korea stories that matter most –