SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un committed to accelerating military buildup during a party meeting, as reported by state media. This decision responds to military modernization efforts by the US and South Korea.
Pyongyang faces multiple sanctions due to its nuclear program, remaining technically at war with the South since the 1950-53 conflict ended in an armistice. In his concluding speech, Kim reaffirmed the commitment to bolster national defense capabilities swiftly, emphasizing a reliable deterrent for self-defense in response to perceived threats.
He criticized the US and South Korea for advancing their military capacities, particularly mentioning the South's acquisition of nuclear submarines. KCNA noted the plenary meeting's consensus that North Korea's nuclear status is crucial to countering unpredictable global military dynamics.
Kim's sister, Yo Jong, reiterated this policy as a line of no retreat, affirming the regime's stance against denuclearization. The meeting also approved plans to modernize coal-mining regions, indicating a dual focus on military and economic development.