North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has directed his military to “thoroughly annihilate” South Korea and the United States if provoked. This comes from his recent vow to bolster the nation’s military firepower and satellite capabilities.
What Happened: Kim relayed this order during a summit with high-ranking military personnel in Pyongyang on New Year’s Eve, Al Jazeera reported on Monday This comment comes after a year of heightened military and political alliance between South Korea and the U.S., alongside an escalation in North Korea’s weapons testing program.
North Korea conducted a record number of weapons tests in 2023, including an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and its maiden spy satellite. Kim’s latest remarks reflect the hostile tone from the previous week’s year-end party gatherings. He has also detailed plans to dispatch three more satellites and further boost the nation’s weapons arsenal.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, in his New Year’s Day address, countered by vowing to enhance his military’s preemptive strike, missile defense, and retaliatory capabilities. In the meantime, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) persists in its calls for North Korea to cease its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
Observers conjecture that Kim’s augmented nuclear weapons might offer an advantage over the US, especially if Donald Trump, who is once again a contender, emerges victorious in the presidential election in November. On New Year’s Day, the North Korean leader and Chinese President Xi Jinping also swapped messages about fortifying bilateral relations.
Why It Matters: This development comes after Kim announced plans to launch three more spy satellites in 2024. Furthermore, he emphasized that South Korea should no longer be viewed as a reunification partner, highlighting the strained relations and the need for a policy revamp.
Kim had previously urged North Korea to expedite war preparations amid escalating tensions with the U.S. He asked the nation’s military, nuclear weaponry, and munitions departments to accelerate war preparations in response to what he called unprecedented provocative steps taken by Washington.
Image via Shutterstock
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