North Korea has criticized the United States and Asian neighbors for pursuing the “absurd” goal of denuclearizing the North and says it will push to expand its nuclear forces under the direction of its authoritarian leader Kim Jong Un.

North Korea criticized the United States for pursuing the "absurd and outdated" goal of denuclearization Tuesday, saying that Pyongyang would stick to leader Kim Jong Un's goal of building up its nuclear forces.

North Korea's foreign ministry said on Tuesday that it will keep bolstering its nuclear force, denouncing a recent joint pledge by the United States, South Korea and Japan for its denuclearisation, according to state media KCNA.