North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has said an elevated U.S. security partnership with South Korea and Japan poses a grave threat to his country and vowed to further bolster his nuclear weapons program.

Kim Jong Un reiterated North Korea’s policy of developing its nuclear forces, saying he would bolster deterrence, as the nation marked the anniversary of the Korean People’s Army.

Leader Kim Jong Un pledged to pursue "sustained countermeasures," citing security ties between the U.S. and its regional allies.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to bolster his nuclear weapons program in response to the U.S.’s enhanced security partnership with South Korea and Japan. Last year, the U.S. expanded bilateral military exercises with South Korean and trilateral training with South Korea and Japan.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un threatens to step up all deterrence measures, including nuclear capabilities. According to intelligence reports, Kim Jong-un has sent thousands of soldiers to Moscow to fight in the war in Ukraine.