North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has urged an accelerated buildup of his country’s nuclear arsenal, branding the ongoing U.S.–South Korea joint military exercises as a “clear provocation of war,” according to a statement carried by state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Tuesday.

The remarks came as the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises entered their second week. The 11-day drills, which began last week, are designed to bolster defense readiness against North Korean threats. South Korea’s military confirmed that while the 2025 exercise mirrors last year’s in scale, 20 out of 40 planned field training events have been rescheduled to September in an effort to reduce tensions.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has repeatedly emphasized his willingness to engage Pyongyang in dialogue and lower hostilities on the peninsula. However, regional security experts remain doubtful that North Korea will reciprocate, especially in light of Kim’s renewed focus on nuclear weapons development.

Analysts warn that Pyongyang’s stance could escalate the cycle of military posturing on the peninsula. With Kim framing the drills as preparation for war and Seoul insisting on defense readiness, the coming months may see heightened tensions despite diplomatic overtures.