North Korea Blasts US and Allies Following NATO Summit, Pledges to Protect Sovereignty

SEOUL — North Korea lashed out at the United States and its allies on Saturday, accusing them of strengthening military alliances and ramping up arms buildups in the wake of this week’s NATO summit, according to a report from state media outlet KCNA.

The country’s foreign ministry issued a statement declaring that Pyongyang would protect its sovereignty and security interests, along with regional peace, through what it called the responsible exercise of its sovereign rights.