North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is preparing to reveal a roadmap to elevate nuclear weapons to the "next level" at the upcoming major Workers' Party meeting, following the latest missile test demonstrating capabilities. He warned that his weapons would instill great fear and pressure on opponents.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Kim Jong Un, North Korea's supreme leader, will unveil plans to strengthen nuclear forces at the upcoming Workers' Party Congress, a significant event held every five years, expected to begin in the coming weeks.
During an on-site inspection of the missile test on Tuesday, Kim said the forthcoming meeting will "clarify the next steps in enhancing the country's nuclear war deterrence capabilities."
In this test, Kim Jong Un was accompanied by his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, and senior officials to observe the firing of four "large special multiple rocket launchers," which successfully hit targets 358.5 kilometers out at sea.
Kim declared fiercely, "The results and significance of this test will be the source of extreme psychological torment and a serious threat to forces attempting to provoke military confrontation with us." Although he acknowledged the development was not without challenges, the test demonstrated increased strategic deterrence effectiveness.
Lee Ho-ryong, chief researcher at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA), commented that at the upcoming party congress, Kim is likely to announce goals to "maximize nuclear operational capabilities," following previous meetings that highlighted developmental achievements.
This test marks the second in January, occurring at a politically significant time ahead of South Korea's leader attending a summit in China, and following a visit to Seoul by Elbridge Colby, a senior Pentagon official who praised South Korea as a "model ally."
The United States currently maintains 28,500 troops in South Korea as a deterrent against threats. North Korea often condemns joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises as "invasion rehearsals." Kim has also criticized South Korea's efforts to develop nuclear-powered submarines with the U.S., labeling them a threat that requires a counterresponse.
. AFP