North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has directed the nation’s military, encompassing its nuclear endeavors, to step up war readiness in response to what he perceives as unparalleled confrontations from the United States.
At an ongoing Workers’ Party gathering, Kim emphasized the urgency for the People’s Army, munitions sector, nuclear arms, and civil defense units to boost their war preparations, as detailed by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Thursday. KCNA highlighted Kim’s assertion that the military dynamics on the Korean peninsula have reached an “extreme” level due to unprecedented confrontations with the US.
While specifics on the preparations remain undisclosed by the state news agency, the geopolitical landscape has seen increased collaboration between South Korea, Japan, and the US. This collaboration comes in response to Pyongyang’s prolific weapons tests, with recent joint efforts including real-time North Korean missile launch data sharing.
Recent developments include the arrival of a US nuclear submarine in South Korea’s Busan and joint drills involving Washington’s long-range bombers with Seoul and Tokyo. Concurrently, Pyongyang marked milestones with its military advancements, such as the successful launch of a military surveillance satellite, tests of its advanced Hwasong-18 ICBM, and codifying its nuclear capabilities in the national constitution.
Kim Jong Un’s recent remarks position North Korea to maintain its rapid military advancements, although strategic analysts speculate a potential for diplomatic overtures towards Washington post the upcoming US presidential elections in November. The backdrop remains clouded by the collapse of nuclear negotiations in 2019 and subsequent UN sanctions since North Korea’s inaugural nuclear test in 2006.
In parallel, North Korea strengthens its ties with Moscow. Kim’s engagement with Russian President Vladimir Putin last September highlighted discussions around military collaboration, sparking concerns over potential equipment transfers amidst the Ukraine conflict. Beyond military endeavors, Kim outlined economic aspirations for 2024, underscoring the imperative of realizing the nation’s five-year development blueprint, with a particular emphasis on revitalizing agriculture.
With historical challenges such as the 1990s famine and recent COVID-19 induced border constraints exacerbating food shortages, North Korea navigates a complex landscape of military ambitions and socio-economic imperatives.
