North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reaffirmed his commitment to expanding and strengthening the country’s nuclear capabilities, asserting that this is the most accurate and only path forward. He also vowed to maintain a confrontational stance toward the U.S. and South Korea.
According to the Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the Workers’ Party, Kim made these remarks during the conclusion of an expanded meeting of the 2nd Plenary Session of the 9th Central Committee, which took place over three days starting on June 20. He emphasized that continuously bolstering nuclear forces, which are central to North Korea’s military sovereignty and crucial for executing deterrence and warfare strategies, is the most effective way to proactively respond to the unpredictable international military-political landscape.
In his address, Kim criticized U.S. and South Korean military activities, accusing both nations of intensifying their nuclear threats against North Korea.
He claimed that even this year, the U.S. and South Korea have become increasingly blatant in their military buildup and modernization efforts. They are pushing for South Korea to acquire nuclear submarines and conducting targeted military exercises and reconnaissance activities against our nation, severely destabilizing the situation on the Korean Peninsula.
Kim further condemned the U.S. and South Korea for conducting military simulations under the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG), describing it as a nuclear war mechanism designed to attack North Korea. He stated that the more alarming development is that the U.S. and South Korea have once again staged military simulations that include nuclear elements, such as integrated nuclear and conventional readiness.
The North Korean leader asserted that the six simulations conducted so far have produced detailed nuclear war scenarios, including methods of warfare, mission procedures, training, and operational elements. He claimed this serves as clear evidence of the NCG’s “criminal nature” in pushing the Korean Peninsula closer to nuclear conflict.
On June 11, the U.S. and South Korea held the 6th NCG meeting in Seoul, where they reaffirmed their shared goal of North Korea’s denuclearization. The NCG was established through the Washington Declaration, a product of the 2023 U.S.-South Korea summit aimed at strengthening extended deterrence.
Kim declared that in response to the evolving geopolitical crisis, it will more aggressively pursue efforts to expand and strengthen the powerful and absolutely reliable self-defense capabilities.
He also emphasized the need for ongoing, thorough implementation of projects aimed at continuously increasing North Korea’s defense assets.
Notably, Kim stressed the urgency of accelerating the construction of a 10,000-ton strategic guided missile cruiser and called for the establishment and modernization of military industrial facilities. This marks the first time North Korea has publicly disclosed plans to build a warship of this size.
The North Korean leader reiterated the party’s principle of confronting South Korea, which it considers the most hostile nation, and reaffirmed its foreign policy stance against what it terms imperialist aggression and war activities.
Additionally, Kim ordered the completion of fortification projects along the southern border, involving the construction of barriers and the severing of connecting roads. He also directed the acceleration of military base construction and other facilities deemed essential for national defense, including new naval bases for the country’s fleets.