NORTH KOREAN leader Kim Jong Un renewed his call for a “limitless” expansion of his military nuclear programme to counter United States-led threats in comments reported today.
This was his first direct criticism towards Washington since Donald Trump’s win in the US presidential election earlier this month.
At a conference with army officials on Friday, Mr Kim condemned the US for updating its nuclear deterrence strategies with South Korea and solidifying three-way military co-operation involving Japan, which he portrayed as an “Asian Nato” that was escalating tensions and instability in the region.
While Trump praises the ‘successful’ attack on Iranian nuclear sites, the question arises as to the real motives behind this escalation. MARC VANDEPITTE explores the issues



