North Korea said on Saturday its nuclear weapons are not meant for negotiations but are intended for combat use against enemies that threaten its people and world peace, its state media reported.

The Treasury sanctions are directed at more than a dozen people and companies based in China, India and the United Arab Emirates.

The North Korean leader said the partnership poses a grave threat to his country and vowed to further bolster his nuclear weapons program.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to bolster his nuclear weapons program in response to the U.S.’s enhanced security partnership with South Korea and Japan. Last year, the U.S. expanded bilateral military exercises with South Korean and trilateral training with South Korea and Japan.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un threatens to step up all deterrence measures, including nuclear capabilities. According to intelligence reports, Kim Jong-un has sent thousands of soldiers to Moscow to fight in the war in Ukraine.