North Korea’s Kim urges military to prepare for war – DW – 18/11/2024

North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, called on his country’s military for an “unlimited” expansion of its nuclear program to counter US-led threats, in comments reported on Monday.

The remarks come amid a rise in tensions between Pyongyang and Seoul, as well as Washington, after it redefined its southern neighbor as a “hostile” state and began sending soldiers to fight for Russia in Ukraine.

What did Kim Jong Un tell the North Korean forces?

Kim gave a speech to battalion commanders and political instructors on Friday, state media KCNA reported, adding that he urged the military to focus efforts on completing war preparations.

“He strongly urged all the participants to go all out to make significant and fundamental improvements in improving their capabilities to fight an actual war,” KCNA said.

Kim criticized the United States for its updated nuclear strategies with South Korea and increased military cooperation with Japan, which he referred to as an “Asian NATO” that is escalating regional tensions.

In September, Kim had promised that the country would “exponentially” expand its nuclear arsenal in response to the “reckless expansion” of a US-led regional military bloc.

He has often blamed the United States for North Korea’s growing weapons arsenal.

North Korean troops in Russia

He also condemned US support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, claiming that Washington and its allies were using Ukraine as “shock troops” to expand US military influence

The speech came just weeks after Pyongyang deployed an estimated 10,000 North Korean troops to Russia. Some of them have reportedly engaged in fighting in Kursk, near the border with Ukraine, drawing international criticism.

The increase in military cooperation between North Korea and Russia – also a rival of the US – was strengthened in a pact signed earlier in November.

mk/lo (AP, Reuters, DPA)