North Korea’s Kim Warns of Escalating Armed Conflict Due to US Actions – KCNA
SEOUL, Jan 1 (G.W.C) – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un conveyed to the country’s military commanders that the most potent means must be mobilized to annihilate the United States and South Korea if they opt for military confrontation, state media reported on Monday.
Kim stated that the threat of an armed confrontation on the Korean peninsula is rapidly becoming a reality because of hostile maneuvers by enemies, including the United States. He emphasized the need for the country to “sharpen the treasured sword” to protect itself.
“If the enemy opts for military confrontation…our army should deal a deadly blow to thoroughly annihilate them by mobilizing all the toughest means and potentialities without a moment’s hesitation,” KCNA news agency quoted Kim as saying.
Kim made these remarks during a gathering with senior military leaders on Sunday at the ruling Workers’ Party (WPK) headquarters to congratulate them on the accomplishments made in 2023.
In 2023, North Korea tested its largest ballistic missiles and launched its first military reconnaissance satellite, which Kim hailed as significant advances in modernizing the country’s military.
The call to enhance the country’s military readiness follows the pledge made at the conclusion of a five-day WPK meeting to boost its nuclear arsenal, build military drones, and launch three new spy satellites in 2024.
The escalation of rhetoric from Kim comes as the United States increased drills with South Korea in the past year, deploying more strategic military assets, including a nuclear missile submarine, aircraft carriers, and large bombers.
It also comes ahead of a year that will see pivotal elections in both South Korea and the United States, which Pyongyang likely sees as an opportunity to increase its leverage by stepping up a campaign of military pressure.
On Monday, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol pledged to accelerate work to complete a missile defense system and a system using U.S. extended deterrence to “fundamentally deter any North Korean nuclear and missile threat.”
Extended deterrence refers to the strategy of using U.S. military assets, including nuclear weapons, to deter and respond to an attack against an ally.
In separate reports, KCNA said Kim hosted a reception for senior members of the ruling party and attended a late-night “grand art performance” celebrating the new year at the May Day stadium in Pyongyang, featuring ice skaters, acrobats, and choirs. Fireworks lit up the sky at midnight, and the venue was filled “with great happiness and boundless excitement of seeing in the New Year with the benevolent father of the great socialist family.”