Together with its allies, the United States are gradually building up potential for a nuclear war, North Korea's Vice Defense Minister Kim Kang Il said.

"The main reason why the situation on the Korean Peninsula remains stuck in the vicious circle of confrontation and escalation lies in the reckless political and military provocations on the part of the United States and its henchmen, who have pursued a hostile policy toward the DPRK for 80 years, gradually building up potential for a nuclear war," he told the 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum on security.

Kim Kang Il went on to say that such actions on the part of the United States and its allies, who continues to boost their nuclear potential, give North Korea "enough reason to create a strong nuclear shield."