North Korea leader Kim Jong Un has ordered his country’s military, munitions industry and nuclear weapons sector to accelerate war preparations to counter what he called unprecedented confrontational moves by the U.S.
Speaking on the policy directions for the new year at a key meeting of the country’s ruling party, Kim stated that Pyongyang would expand strategic cooperation with anti-imperialist independent countries, set forth the militant tasks for the People’s Army and the munitions industry, nuclear weapons and civil defence sectors to further accelerate the war preparations.
North Korea has been expanding ties with Russia, among others, as Washington accuses Pyongyang of supplying military equipment to Moscow for use in its war with Ukraine, while Russia provides technical support to help the North advance its military capabilities.
World affairs analyst, Mark Barry noted that the show of force by North Korea is a loud statement to restated their independence and the desire to stamp their foot as a capable entity in defending their national integrity.
In the meantime, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol visited a frontline military unit in the eastern county of Yeoncheon to inspect its defence posture and called for an immediate retaliation if there was any provocation from North Korea.
