North Korea Issues Warning to US and South Korea on WMD

A spokesman for the DPRK Ministry of National Defence issued a warning to the United States and South Korea regarding their discussions on weapons of mass destruction (WMD) responses. This warning was communicated through the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Wednesday, following a meeting held in Seoul on 10 September between US and South Korean defence officials.

The officials discussed enhancing their capabilities to respond to potential WMD threats from North Korea and agreed to improve cooperation, including information sharing. The DPRK characterized this meeting as an escalation of military tensions, alleging that the US and South Korea were preparing for the use of nuclear and chemical weapons on the Korean Peninsula.

The spokesman criticized the allies' joint military exercises, claiming that WMD-response procedures were included in their training. The DPRK also alleged that the US was involved in biological and chemical weapons-related activities globally, although these claims were not substantiated.

The spokesman warned that perceived WMD threats could challenge national security, invoking North Korea's nuclear forces law adopted in 2022.