The Ministry of Unification has analyzed North Korea’s recent series of military reports featuring Kim Jong Un, the Workers’ Party’s general secretary, as a multi-layered strategy aimed at both domestic and international audiences.
During a press briefing at the Government Seoul Building on Friday, Deputy Spokesperson Jang Yoon Jung said the reports serve different purposes depending on the audience. Domestically, they highlight defense achievements and justify strengthening nuclear capabilities and overall military power. Internationally, she said, they function as a response to the deployment of U.S. strategic assets and South Korea’s efforts to develop nuclear-powered submarines.
North Korea’s state-run newspaper Rodong Sinmun reported on Thursday that Kim had overseen the construction of a nuclear-powered strategic ballistic missile submarine. On the same day, he was also reported to have inspected missile production at a major defense industry facility.
The newspaper, however, did not disclose specific dates for either event. When questioned about this, Deputy Spokesperson Jang declined to speculate.
It’s well-known that North Korea often withholds precise dates of the Supreme Leader’s military activities, citing concerns over satellite surveillance and intelligence gathering.