South Korea's Yoon has raised risk of nuclear war, says N Korea

North Korea on Sunday (Nov 3) accused South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol of exposing his country to the danger of nuclear war through his policies towards Pyongyang.

According to a white paper released by North Korean state media, Pyongyang criticised Yoon's "reckless remarks" about war, abandoning the elements of an inter-Korean government, engaging in nuclear war planning with the US, and seeking closer ties with Japan and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

The paper said that Seoul'sever-worsening military moves resulted only in the paradoxical consequences of pushing North Korea to stockpileits nuclear weapons at an exponential rate and further develop its nuclear attack capability.

The paper further listed Yoon’s domestic political woes, including scandals involving his wife Kim Keon-hee.

A hardline taken on North Korea

South Korean President Yoon has taken a hardline on North Korea. Yoon's administration has blamed Pyongyang for raising tensions with weapons tests and providing military aid and troops to aid Russia's war in Ukraine.

The twoKoreas are still technically at war after their 1950-53 war ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty.

In October,NorthKoreablew up sections of inter-Korean roads and rail lines on its side of the heavily fortified border between the two Koreas.

Will continue to build up capabilities for self-defence: N Korea

The white paper was released a day after North Korea said that it would continue efforts to build up capabilities for self-defence and accused South Korea and the US ofpushing theKorean Peninsula into war scenarios.

Also watch | North Korea tests most powerful ICBM

"(NorthKorea) will further intensify its practical efforts to ensure the permanent stability of theKorean peninsula and the region in a responsible manner, and resolutely counter any threat and challenge in the present and future,” state media reported on Saturday citing a statement from an unidentified foreign ministry spokesperson.

(With inputs from agencies)