North Korea hits back at the world’s strongest military, vows to expand its nuclear arsenal as its military links to Africa resurface

North Korea has issued a stern warning to the U.S., declaring that it will continue to strengthen its nuclear arsenal and rejecting any possibility of denuclearization.

While Washington attempts to ease tensions in East Asia, Pyongyang continues to maintain a residual, decades-old network of security and economic partnerships in Africa.

North Korea rejects U.S. denuclearization demands and vows nuclear growth

In a strongly-worded statement released by state media KCNA, North Korea accused the United States of maintaining an "invariable hostile policy to wantonly violate the sovereignty, political system and security interests of the DPRK".

Pyongyang has made it clear that its nuclear weapons are non-negotiable, describing them as "an absolute guarantee for defending its sovereignty".