Kim Jong Un on Monday emphasized the need for North Korea to bolster missile production amid rising tensions with South Korea and the U.S.
What Happened: Kim’s recent visit to key munitions factories revealed his intent to secure “overwhelming military power” and be ready for war, the state media KCNA reported.
During his inspection, he highlighted the “important goal to dramatically increase” missile production capacity to meet the demands of frontline military units.
“The qualitative levels of war preparations depend on the development of the munitions industry, and the factory has a tremendous responsibility in accelerating our military’s war preparations,” Kim was quoted.
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He also said there was a “very urgent need” to “exponentially increase” the production of rockets to strengthen frontline artillery units. “Our army must thoroughly secure overwhelming military power and solid readiness to handle any war at any time, so that the enemy does not dare to use force, and would be annihilated if it does,” Kim said.
Why It Matters: Kim’s comments came as South Korea and the U.S. are set to commence their annual military drills, which North Korea perceives as a rehearsal for an invasion.
The U.S. and its Asian allies have been adopting a firm stance against North Korea’s nuclear ambitions. Kim’s emphasis on military readiness is not an isolated incident. His recent actions, such as reshuffling military leadership and focusing on weapon production, indicate a broader strategy to strengthen North Korea’s domestic and international position.
Meanwhile, the upcoming trilateral summit involving leaders from South Korea, the U.S., and Japan at Camp David on Aug. 18 will likely address these concerns and discuss regional security and cooperation strategies.
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