North Korea has vowed to launch three new spy satellites, build military drones and increase its nuclear arsenal by 2024, as leader Kim Jong Un said US policy is making war inevitable, state media reported on Sunday.
Kim lashed out at Washington in lengthy remarks that concluded five days of ruling party meetings that set economic, military and foreign policy goals for the coming year.
“Due to the enemies’ reckless moves to invade us, it is a fait accompli that a war may break out at any time on the Korean Peninsula,” he said, according to state news agency KCNA.
He ordered the military to prepare to “pacify the entire territory of South Korea,” including with nuclear bombs if necessary, in response to any attack.
Kim’s speech comes ahead of a year in which pivotal elections will be held in both South Korea and the United States.
Kim Jong Un (center) participating in the 9th plenary session of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) at the Party Central Committee headquarters building in Pyongyang on December 31, 2023. KCNA VIA KNS/ AFP via fake images
Experts predict North Korea will maintain a military pressure campaign to gain influence around the US presidential election in November, which could see the return of former President Donald Trump, who exchanged threats and historic diplomacy with Kim.
“Pyongyang might be waiting for the U.S. presidential election to see what its provocations can get it with the next administration,” said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul.
U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration says it is open to talks but imposed new sanctions as North Korea pressed ahead with more missile tests banned by United Nations sanctions.
A “Hwasongpho-18” type intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on a mobile launcher at an undisclosed location in North Korea. KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Images
The United States also increased exercises and deployed more military assets, including nuclear-armed submarines and large aircraft carriers, near the Korean Peninsula.
GOING FORWARD
Kim said the return of such weapons had completely transformed South Korea into an “advanced military base and nuclear arsenal” of the United States.
“If we look closely at the confrontational military actions of enemy forces… the word ‘war’ has become a realistic reality and not an abstract concept,” Kim said.
Kim said he has no choice but to press ahead with his nuclear ambitions and forge deeper relationships with other countries that oppose the United States.
North Korea has deep ties with both China and Russia.
“North Korea is preparing for a further escalation of tension with Washington and Seoul, for at least a year or more, and its hardline policies are likely to be accompanied by efforts for dialogue, even before the US elections.” said Yang Uk, an analyst at the Asan Institute of Policy Studies.
A mobile launcher awaiting the order to launch a Hwasongpho-18 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at an undisclosed location in North Korea. KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Images
“Kim is building on the success of the spy satellite to make three more because he knows the satellites’ capabilities are a powerful targeting tool for better nuclear command and control.”
South Korea holds parliamentary elections in April that could affect the domestic and foreign agenda of conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol, who has maintained a tough stance toward Pyongyang.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) warned Thursday that “there is a high possibility that North Korea could unexpectedly carry out military provocations or organize a cyber attack in 2024, when fluid political situations with elections are expected.” .
Kim Jong Un takes visiting Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu inside his military complex to display a large number of drones in Pyongyang, North Korea, on July 27, 2023. EyePress News/Shutterstock
Pyongyang has now ruled out the possibility of unifying with South Korea, and the country must fundamentally change its principles and direction toward South Korea, Kim said.
“North-South relations are no longer a kinship or homogeneous relationship, but have completely become a relationship between two hostile countries, two belligerents at war,” he said, calling the South a colonized state completely dependent on the United States. for national defense and security. .
Kim also promised to develop the economy, including the metals, chemicals, energy, machinery and railways sectors, while modernizing wheat facilities to boost production.
A key policy goal is to invest in scientific and technological research in schools, he said.
A rocket carrying the ‘Malligyong-1’ reconnaissance satellite is launched from the Sohae satellite launch site in North Phyongan province. KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Images
MILITARY TECHNOLOGY
Last year, North Korea says it successfully launched its first military spy satellite and tested new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), which are considered to have the range to deliver a nuclear warhead anywhere in the United States.
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A new reactor at North Korea’s Yongbyon nuclear complex appears to be operating for the first time, the U.N. nuclear watchdog and independent experts said this month, which would mean an additional potential source of plutonium for nuclear weapons.
North Korea has not tested a nuclear weapon since 2017, but has taken steps in recent years to resume operations at its test site.
Kim said 2024 would see further military development, including strengthening nuclear and missile forces, building unmanned drones, expanding the submarine fleet and developing electronic warfare capabilities.
The fleet of spy satellites would represent the first such capability for the North.
That successful launch in November was preceded by two failed attempts last year when its new Chollima-1 rocket crashed into the sea.
The move increased regional tensions and prompted new sanctions from the United States, Australia, Japan and South Korea.
Pyongyang has yet to release any images of the new satellite, leaving analysts and foreign governments debating its capabilities.
The apparent success also came after Russian President Vladimir Putin promised to help North Korea build satellites.
South Korean officials said Russian help likely made a difference in the mission’s success, although experts said it was unclear how much help Moscow might have provided.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn