North Korea claims nuclear weapons are only aimed at the US

North Korea has said it will not threaten countries around the world with nuclear weapons as long as they do not side with Washington in confronting Pyongyang.

A North Korean missile test launch. Photo: Reuters/KCNA

Rodong Sinmun, the mouthpiece of the Workers' Party of Korea, said North Korea's nuclear arsenal is not intended to threaten the world but to counter "reckless moves" from the United States.

"The US has exaggerated that we pose a grave threat to the entire world... But we will not initiate or threaten nuclear attacks on countries unless they join the US-led military operation against the DPRK," the newspaper said in a commentary published today.

According to the newspaper, North Korea does not secretly develop nuclear weapons and missiles. Instead, all weapons development processes are transparent so that Pyongyang can deter war.

The commentary is seen as an attempt by North Korea to ease its isolation from the international community, after the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution on tougher sanctions in response to Pyongyang's repeated missile tests.

Rodong Sinmun published a commentary in late June asserting that all of North Korea's nuclear weapons are aimed at the United States, not South Korea, unless Seoul supports Washington in launching a nuclear attack on Pyongyang.

According to VNE