North Korean leader Kim Jong Un announced that the country plans to reveal a new policy aimed at enhancing its nuclear capabilities alongside its conventional military power during an upcoming key meeting of the ruling party, according to state media reports on Saturday.
In the wake of a failed summit with the United States in 2019, North Korea has firmly reiterated its stance on maintaining its nuclear arsenal, declaring itself an “irreversible” nuclear power. This perspective was reinforced during Kim’s recent visit to weapons research facilities, where he stated that Pyongyang will prioritize the simultaneous advancement of its nuclear forces alongside its conventional armed forces, as reported by the state-run Korean Central News Agency.
Kim highlighted the necessity of modernizing North Korea’s conventional military forces, although details regarding the timing of the upcoming party meeting remain undisclosed. The North Korean leader’s assertive stance has been influenced by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where North Korea has reportedly provided support to Russia by sending thousands of troops to fight alongside Russian forces.
This burgeoning relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang was cemented last year through a mutual defense pact during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to North Korea. South Korean authorities have expressed concerns that Russia is escalating its support for North Korea, which may include the transfer of sensitive military technology in exchange for North Korean assistance in the Ukraine conflict.
According to Hong Min, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification, Kim’s announcement reflects a belief that while nuclear capabilities are crucial, they have limitations as a deterrent. The North Korean regime aims to enhance its war-fighting capabilities by modernizing its conventional arsenal, signaling a potential expansion of military technology cooperation with Russia into conventional arms.
Experts predict that detailed modernization plans geared towards “modern warfare” may be outlined as part of a mid- to long-term agenda in the forthcoming party meeting. The last such congress, held in January 2021, saw Kim laying out an ambitious military agenda that included plans for advanced weaponry, such as military spy satellites and solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Speculation suggests that the upcoming ruling party meeting will take place early next year. Kim’s recent appearance alongside Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping at a considerable parade in Beijing has drawn criticism from US President Donald Trump, who accused the three leaders of colluding against the United States.
