North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, reportedly told the country’s military commanders that they must mobilize the most powerful means to destroy the United States and South Korea if they choose military confrontation.
The state media reported Kim’s remarks on Monday, stating that the danger of armed confrontation on the Korean peninsula is increasing due to hostile maneuvers by the US and its allies.
Kim emphasized the need for North Korea to “sharpen the treasured sword” to protect itself and instructed the military to deal a deadly blow and thoroughly annihilate the enemy by mobilizing all available means and potentialities without hesitation.
These statements were made as Kim hosted senior military leaders at the ruling Workers’ Party headquarters to commend them on the accomplishments made in 2023.
North Korea conducted tests of its largest ballistic missiles and launched its first military reconnaissance satellite during that year.
The call to upgrade the country’s military readiness follows a recent pledge made after a Workers’ Party meeting to boost North Korea’s nuclear arsenal, build military drones, and launch three new spy satellites in 2024.
Kim’s comments also coincide with increased military drills by the United States and South Korea in the past year, deploying strategic assets like a nuclear missile submarine, aircraft carriers, and large bombers.
The escalating rhetoric from North Korea is seen as an attempt to increase leverage, especially considering pivotal elections in South Korea and the United States in the coming year.
In response to the heightened tensions, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol pledged to accelerate work on completing a missile defense system and a system using U.S. extended deterrence to fundamentally deter any North Korean nuclear and missile threats.
Extended deterrence involves using U.S. military assets, including nuclear weapons, to deter and respond in the event of an attack against an ally.
