North Korea frames US policy as driver for nuclear deterrence buildup

A KCNA op-ed by security expert Choe Ju Hyun argues US actions are eroding the nuclear non-proliferation regime, justifying North Korea's continued nuclear strengthening. This is consistent with Pyongyang's established narrative, but the explicit framing of US policy as the cause signals a hardening stance ahead of potential negotiations. The claim is state media rhetoric, not independently verified.