According to North Korea's Vice Minister of National Defense Kim Kang Il, Japan and South Korea are boosting their military capabilities with the aim of acquiring nuclear weapons.

Operativ Media reports that Kim Kang Il made these remarks during his speech at the 13th Xiangshan International Security Forum in Beijing.

According to him, Japan and South Korea are expanding their military capabilities under the auspices of the United States and are seeking to acquire nuclear weapons.

The North Korean official claimed that the trilateral military cooperation system between Washington, Seoul, and Tokyo is close to becoming a reality as a nuclear alliance.

According to Kim Kang Il, the United States' new nuclear strategy focuses on expanding the possibilities of using tactical nuclear weapons in response to regional conflicts.

He stated that this approach turns the US nuclear strategy into a tool for practical application and has a serious negative impact on the security situation in the Asia-Pacific region, where numerous nuclear facilities are located.

The Xiangshan Forum has been held since 2006, and the event is organized by the Academy of Military Sciences of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

Approximately 2,000 delegates from about 100 countries, regions, and international organizations are participating in the forum held in Beijing in 2026. The forum is dedicated to cooperation in the field of security in the Asia-Pacific region and globally.