Kim Jong Un reaffirmed the full-scale expansion of nuclear capabilities, aiming to surpass all countries worldwide. He declared an unrelenting increase in national defense and accelerated the construction of a 10,000-ton strategic missile-armed patrol vessel.
On 23 June 2026, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Kim Jong Un, the supreme leader of North Korea, announced the acceleration of the country's nuclear capability expansion. He aims to enhance its power to surpass the entire world and emphasized that possessing nuclear weapons is the most appropriate approach to addressing the increasingly complex international security situation.
The report states that the Workers' Party of Korea held its 2nd Plenary Meeting of the 9th Central Committee for three days from 21-23 June to assess policy implementation during the first half of the year and to review key agendas set at the party congress in February. The meeting reaffirmed that expanding nuclear forces remains a core national policy, stating that nuclear weapons are the foundation of military sovereignty and the heart of the strategy for deterrence or warfare.
Kim Jong Un also directed continuous efforts to enhance national defense capabilities and set the goal of surpassing all other countries worldwide. He emphasized utilizing nuclear technology as the basis for advancing comprehensive defense plans with rapid progress. Additionally, the meeting pledged to expedite the construction of a 10,000-ton strategic guided missile patrol ship, a project approved by the party in April.
Source: Yonhap