Han Ki-ho, a professor at the Ajou Institute for Unification, said that North Korea’s criticism of the U.S.-ROK “nuclear-based alliance” — a framing that started under previous administrations — appears to have reached its peak. 

“In particular, North Korea may perceive the ongoing training near the Korean Peninsula of three strategic bombers — the B-1B and B-52H deployed to the Korean Peninsula and Japan this year, as well as the B-2 Spirit, which carried out the strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities — as a real threat.”

Kim’s mention of nuclear operations guidelines likely refer to the U.S.-ROK nuclear consultations, Han added. 

“North Korea does not recognize the U.S.-ROK nuclear consultations and missile defense drills as efforts to deter tensions on the Korean Peninsula, but instead interprets them as preparations for preemptive strikes,” he said.

Han interpreted such threats as a likely response to the recent U.S. deployment of additional aerial reconnaissance assets as part of its Indo-Pacific strategy. 

“It seems that far more U.S. reconnaissance assets are operating over the Korean Peninsula than publicly reported,” he told NK News.

Kim’s message about nuclear operations guidelines and the vow to achieve peace through power and “nuclear deterrence” appeared timed as a “warning” not only to the U.S. but also the Lee Jae-myung administration against resuming the NCG, Han of Ajou Institute said. 

However, Han cautioned against interpreting Kim’s messages solely as a tailored signal to the U.S. ahead of the upcoming APEC summit in South Korea, which some have argued could provide an occasion for Trump to meet with Kim again, potentially at Panmunjom.

Instead, the expert suggested that the speech reflects a longer-term strategy, explaining that North Korea is also strengthening diplomacy with China ahead of China’s APEC participation to avoid unfavorable outcomes.