Kim Jong Un Points to Iran Strikes as Reason for Nuclear Buildup
Jul 4
1 min read
News Summary
Kim Jong Un used the recent Israel-Iran conflict to justify North Korea's nuclear weapons program.
At a high-level party meeting on June 18–19, he emphasized the vulnerability of non-nuclear states like Iran and directed the implementation of comprehensive protective measures to safeguard North Korea’s nuclear capabilities.
Kim also ordered intensified propaganda campaigns to promote anti-American sentiment and strengthen internal unity, while exploring deeper military and technical cooperation with anti-U.S. forces in the Middle East, including Iran and Yemen.
Commentary
Kim's remarks confirm what our analysis has consistently emphasized: he has no intention of giving up his nuclear weapons. He is committed to expanding nuclear capabilities not only for deterrence but also for potential preemptive strikes.
At the same time, Kim continues to rely heavily on anti-American sentiment as the central theme of his propaganda—an attempt to shore up internal unity that remains deeply fragile.
The broader geopolitical environment—including the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Iran conflict—has further pushed the regime down this path.
As long as Kim’s survival strategy rests on nuclear weapons and anti-Americanism, there is no realistic prospect for meaningful dialogue—whether with Trump or Lee.
For Kim, this is not a temporary stance but a non-negotiable survival strategy. It is precisely this logic that drives him to fully align with other anti-U.S. regimes.
