A spokesman for North Korea’s Foreign Ministry released a strong statement on Tuesday that said, “As long as the hostile threat from the United States and its followers exists, nuclear weapons for us represent peace, sovereignty and a means of legitimate self-defense granted by our national constitution.”

“The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea will continue to consistently adhere to the course of strengthening its nuclear capabilities, as outlined by its head of state, and will use all political and military means at its disposal to thoroughly deter the threats and blackmail of the United States and its vassals.”

The statement accused the United States of “refusing to face reality” and said that the more the US continues to pressure the North, the more it will improve its strategic strength.

The North criticized the US for making “malicious accusations” at the recent International Security Conference in Germany. The statement accused the US Secretary of State of a conspiracy, in conjunction with Japanese and South Korean diplomatic officials, in releasing a joint statement that was “full of baseless slander and provocative rhetoric against our country.”

It expressed “grave concern over the adventurous and reckless moves by the United States, Japan and the ROK that encourage collective confrontation and conflict on the Korean Peninsula,” adding that “any provocations and threats by hostile countries will be met with an overwhelming and decisive response.”

“The United States should ask itself what consequences have been brought about by the reckless attempts of the imperialist powers to unilaterally undermine our country’s security over the past 30 years or so.”