North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has urged the country’s military, including its nuclear program, to escalate war preparations in response to what he termed as unprecedented confrontations by the United States. Speaking at an ongoing Workers’ Party meeting, Kim emphasized the need to accelerate war readiness across military sectors, stressing the extreme nature of the military situation on the Korean peninsula due to heightened confrontations.
In parallel, South Korea, Japan, and the US have strengthened political and defense cooperation amid a series of weapons tests by Pyongyang. Recent actions include the sharing of real-time data on North Korean missile launches and the arrival of a US nuclear-powered submarine in South Korea.
Pyongyang, on its part, has made strides in military advancements, successfully launching a military spy satellite, testing its advanced intercontinental ballistic missile Hwasong-18, and solidifying nuclear power status in the country’s constitution.
Kim’s remarks indicate North Korea’s intent to maintain the pace of its weapons tests and military modernization. Analysts speculate that this could be aimed at leveraging diplomatic talks with Washington post the US presidential election in November next year.
Efforts to negotiate denuclearization have stalled since 2019, leading to continued UN sanctions. North Korea has also been strengthening ties with Moscow and other “anti-imperialist independent” countries.
In addition to military focus, Kim outlined economic goals for 2024, emphasizing agricultural development. North Korea has been grappling with food shortages, exacerbated by prolonged COVID-19-related border closures.
