North Korea declared on September 13 that Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un has bolstered the country’s self-defensive national power, insisting that the nation’s strategic global position is firmly secured and its status as a nuclear power is now irreversible.
The Workers’ Party newspaper Rodong Sinmun featured a front-page headline reading, The Absolute Authority of the General Secretary is the Dignity and Prestige of a Strong Korea. The article highlighted Kim’s relentless efforts and sacrifices in strengthening the nation’s self-defense capabilities.
The newspaper underscored Kim’s masterful leadership in rallying the party and the people to implement the dual strategy of economic development alongside nuclear force enhancement. It asserted that this approach has transformed North Korea into a world-class military powerhouse equipped with a comprehensive arsenal of formidable deterrents that no foe can challenge.
Referring to the formalization of the nuclear force policy, the publication lauded Kim, stating that the unequivocal establishment of the nation’s global strategic position and the irreversible nuclear power status is an achievement that only the supreme leader, the world’s greatest strategist, could have realized.
Previously, North Korea had enshrined its nuclear force policy, including provisions for preemptive strikes, into law at the Supreme People’s Assembly in September 2022. In September 2023, this stance was further reinforced by explicitly incorporating the nuclear force enhancement policy into its constitution.
The newspaper commended Kim’s determination, noting that in the face of relentless imperialist aggression, the decision to strengthen our self-defense capabilities and uphold the banner of self-reliance and simultaneous development is truly extraordinary. It pledged to unremittingly advance the strengthening of national defense, safeguarding the security and interests of the country and people.
The publication proudly stated that the world continues to marvel at the rapid development of the republic, the ever-growing national strength, and the vigorous march toward even greater victories and a brilliant future, implying that the international community is watching North Korea’s military progress with close attention.
Emphasizing Kim’s commitment, the article urged party cadres and workers to deeply cherish the pride of serving a strong Korea and to fulfill their sacred duties to the revolution, homeland, and people during this critical period of national advancement.
Most recently, Rodong Sinmun provided extensive coverage of Kim’s visit to China for the 80th anniversary of victory celebrations, during which he held summits with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This coverage appears crafted to reinforce the image of North Korea’s rising international stature in defense, political, economic, and cultural fields among its citizens.