North Korea is intensifying its efforts to integrate nuclear weapons and conventional forces through a self-reliant nuclear-conventional integrated power (CNI) strategy, aimed at entrenching a non-denuclearization environment.
This analysis is drawn from a report by Dr. Ban Gil-joo, an associate professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy’s Institute for International Security and Unification Studies. Dr. Ban asserts that the Kim Jong Un regime is leveraging military parades not merely as displays of force, but as strategic tools for regime security and foreign policy.
During a recent onsite guidance at the Defense Science Institute, Kim announced plans to unveil a nuclear and conventional force dual policy at the upcoming 9th Party Congress early next year. The array of weapon systems showcased in the recent parade provides a glimpse into this evolving strategy.
Dr. Ban interprets this as a calculated move to establish a self-reliant integrated force, countering the nuclear consultative group (NCG) system that South Korea and the United States are developing to deter North Korean nuclear threats. He also notes that Kim’s visit to the new destroyer Choe Hyon prior to the parade subtly signals intentions to deploy nuclear capabilities with modernized naval assets, further reinforcing the integrated force concept.
The parade unveiled an arsenal of new strategic weapons, including the Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), hypersonic medium-range strategic missiles, and the Hwasong-11 hypersonic short-range ballistic missiles, all purportedly capable of striking the U.S. mainland.
Dr. Ban suggests that North Korea is not only advancing its nuclear capabilities but also showcasing a military roadmap that underlines its hyper strategy, aimed at rendering denuclearization efforts futile. He further argues that Pyongyang’s actions are evolving from mere military posturing to a sophisticated diplomatic strategy designed to elevate its international status.
In response to these developments, Dr. Ban recommends that South Korea refine its counter-strategy by focusing on bolstering nuclear security, expanding diplomatic influence, and enhancing strategic messaging.
He stresses the critical need for developing robust nuclear security measures to counterbalance North Korea’s self-reliant integrated power. This includes strengthening collaboration within the U.S.-South Korea nuclear consultative group to enhance deterrence capabilities on both strategic and operational levels. Dr. Ban also emphasizes the importance of evolving South Korea’s three-axis defense system from a weapon-centric approach to one that prioritizes operational procedures, particularly in light of North Korea’s potential to execute simultaneous multi-missile launches.
To effectively counter North Korea’s hyper strategy, Dr. Ban urges South Korea to expand its diplomatic footprint under the banner of being a global responsible power. He argues that a comprehensive diplomatic roadmap is essential to effectively counter North Korea’s strategic maneuvers on the international stage.
Dr. Ban further advocates for the creation of a strategic messaging task force to counter North Korean propaganda efforts. He suggests that this task force should be structured to empower the strategic command to spearhead the development and implementation of strategic messaging in the defense and military domains.