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.

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North Korea criticized the United States for pursuing the "absurd and outdated" goal of denuclearization Tuesday, saying that Pyongyang would stick to leader Kim Jong Un's goal of building up its nuclear forces.

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has paid his respect at a family mausoleum to mark the birthday of his late father and former leader Kim Jong Il, state media KCNA said on Monday. Kim Jong Il's birthday, which falls on Feb. 16, is widely celebrated as a major holiday in North Korea, called the Day of the Shining Star.

Observers note a potential shift in Kim's approach - reviving the personality cult of his ancestors to strengthen his own authority North Korean leader Kim Jong-un made a rare visit to his ancestors' mausoleum on Sunday,

Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, paid tribute to his father for the first time in four years. Kim Jong Il, who is revered in North Korea, was born on February 16, so his son visited the mausoleum of his predecessors—his father and grandfather—to commemorate this anniversary.