Kim Jong-un Says North Korea’s Nuclear Arsenal Deters Foreign Attacks
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has asserted that his country’s nuclear weapons program serves as a powerful deterrent against foreign aggression, questioning why other nuclear-armed states are not similarly targeted.
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Kim made the remarks in a statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
Addressing recent global developments, Kim referenced military strikes reportedly carried out by United States-led forces against Iran’s nuclear facilities. “A country with two nuclear facilities attacks another country because it has nuclear facilities,” he was quoted as saying. “I also have nuclear facilities, so why does no one dare to approach me?” he added, underscoring his view that North Korea’s nuclear arsenal acts as a shield against potential attacks.
The comments come amid heightened international tensions following airstrikes that reportedly targeted Iranian nuclear infrastructure, raising concerns about broader regional instability and the risks of escalation among nuclear-capable states.
Kim reiterated Pyongyang’s long-standing position that nuclear weapons are essential to national survival and sovereignty. Analysts say the rhetoric reinforces North Korea’s strategy of projecting strength and signaling that any military action against it would carry severe consequences.
North Korea has consistently maintained that its nuclear program is defensive in nature and has resisted calls for denuclearization, framing its arsenal as a cornerstone of its military doctrine and state security.
The statement is expected to further shape diplomatic conversations around nuclear proliferation and global security, as world powers continue efforts to prevent further escalation while managing deterrence dynamics.
Kim Jong-un Says North Korea’s Nuclear Arsenal Deters Foreign Attacks