State media reported on Sunday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for the creation of new intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and a larger nuclear arsenal to combat threats posed by the US. This came amid rising tensions between the two Koreas.
Kim emphasized the need for “overwhelming military power” to protect the country’s sovereignty and security at a Workers’ Party meeting.
The intrusion of North Korean drones into the South last week and the North’s series of missile launches, including ICBMs, heightened cross-border tensions.
South Korea’s Leader Yoon Suk-yeol, during calls with military bosses, called for “strong mental status and down to earth preparing” to guarantee any North Korean incitements will be met with counter, as per an assertion from his office.
Kim described the US nuclear strike assets’ constant deployment in South Korea as “unprecedented in human history,” and he said that Washington and Seoul were attempting to “isolate and stifle” Pyongyang.
According to the official KCNA news agency, he promised to develop another ICBM system “whose main mission is quick nuclear counter-strike” as part of a plan to increase the country’s nuclear force.
It stated, “The prevailing situation calls for making redoubled efforts to vastly increase the military muscle […] in response to the worrying military moves by the US and other hostile forces.”
According to Kim, South Korea has transformed into “our undoubted enemy,” and the country is “hell-bent on imprudent and dangerous arms buildup” and hostile military moves.
Kim stated, “It highlights the importance and necessity of mass-producing tactical nuclear weapons and calls for an exponential increase of the country’s nuclear arsenal,” adding that these would be the “main orientation” of the nuclear and defense strategy for 2023.
According to KCNA, the nation will also launch its first military satellite “at the earliest date possible” as part of the plan by accelerating its drive to build a spy satellite, with final preparations underway.
‘Super-large rocket launcher’
The report came hours after North Korea discharged a short-range long-range rocket off its east coast, in an uncommon late-night, New Year’s Day weapons test.
The segregated nation likewise sent off three long-range rockets on Saturday, covering a year set apart by a record number of rocket tests.
KCNA said in a different dispatch that it was trying another 600mm super-enormous various rocket launcher fit for conveying atomic weapons.
Kim praised the munitions industry for delivering 30 units of the system, describing it as a “core, offensive weapon” with the capability of conducting a surprise and precise launch and encompassing all of South Korea.
Kim said at a delivery ceremony on Saturday, “We have declared our resolute will to respond with a nuke for nuke and an all-out confrontation for all-out confrontation,” and he ordered more powerful weapons to “absolutely overwhelm the US imperialist aggressive forces and their puppet army.”
Read: North Korea promises ‘action’ in response to Japan’s military buildup
Since Yoon assumed office in May, he pledged to take a tougher stance against Pyongyang. Inter-Korean relations have been tense for a long time.
Yoon once more urged the military to be ready to respond to the recent drone intrusion into South Korea’s airspace on Sunday.
Yoon stated to the chiefs of the military, “Our military must resolutely retaliate against any provocation by the enemy with the determination to fight.”
According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) of South Korea, the most recent missile was launched from the Ryongsong area of the capital Pyongyang at approximately 2:50 am local time (5:50 pm GMT).
The JCS demanded an immediate halt to the North’s series of missile tests, calling them “grave provocations.”
Japan’s coast watch said the rocket arrived at a height of around 100km and zoomed around 350km. According to Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada, Tokyo had protested the launch to North Korea through Beijing’s diplomatic channels.
The US Indo-Pacific Order said the send-off didn’t represent a quick danger to the US workforce or region however featured the undermining effect of North Korea’s weapons program.
In 2022, North Korea fired an unprecedented number of missiles, continuing its weapon development amid speculation that it might conduct its seventh nuclear test.
For the first time since 2017, the North also resumed testing ICBMs in November, successfully launching the massive new Hwasong-17, which could strike anywhere in the United States.