Which of the following did Kim Jong Un announce in 2023 regarding nuclear weapons?

• A. Expansion of the nuclear arsenal and production of tactical nuclear weapons.
• B. Dismantling all existing nuclear stockpiles.
• C. Alliances to deter international pressure through diplomacy only.
• D. Suspension of future missile tests.

Answer: (A)

The question is testing understanding of Kim Jong Un’s stated priorities for North Korea’s nuclear forces in 2023. He announced a plan to expand the nuclear arsenal and to produce tactical nuclear weapons, signaling a push to strengthen deterrence through greater stockpiles and a focus on smaller, battlefield-usable nukes. This fits a pattern of emphasizing a more capable and flexible nuclear force to deter external pressure and potential coercion, rather than moving toward disarmament or diplomacy-only approaches.

Why this is the best fit: expanding the arsenal increases overall capability and resilience of deterrence, while developing tactical nuclear weapons suggests a shift toward weapons intended for limited, regional use rather than just long-range strategic deterrents. This combination reflects a strategic priority on strengthening power and resilience against external pressure.

Why the other ideas don’t fit: dismantling stockpiles would weaken deterrence and contradict the announced intent to strengthen it; relying on alliances to deter solely through diplomacy misses the explicit emphasis on expanding capabilities; suspending future missile tests would run counter to the ongoing pattern of testing and modernization Kim has described.