North Korea has threatened to enhance its nuclear capabilities and impose severe consequences on the U.S. and South Korea following the authorization of joint nuclear deterrence guidelines by President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. The guidelines aim to bolster capabilities to address North Korea’s expanding nuclear arsenal. North Korea’s Defense Ministry criticized the guidelines as a preparation for nuclear war. The U.S. and South Korea are expected to collaborate on integrating nuclear and conventional weapons to respond to potential North Korean attacks. North Korea justifies its pursuit of nuclear weapons as a response to perceived threats from the U.S. and its allies. Concerns about North Korea’s nuclear program have escalated due to provocative missile tests and threats of preemptive nuclear weapon use.