North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observed a major weapons test and called for strengthening Pyongyang’s “deadly and destructive” offensive posture as the South announced plans to beef up its drone forces.
Kim’s push to strengthen both nuclear and conventional military capabilities comes as the North refuses to return to talks with South Korea and the US.
The weapons tests on Thursday were meant to evaluate the power of a “special mission” warhead for a tactical ballistic missile, an upgraded multiple rocket launch system and the hit accuracy of shells with an extended firing range of a self-propelled gun-howitzer, the official Korean Central News Agency said.
KCNA said the warhead’s development is aimed at “inflicting fatal damage on major targets including airfields, ports and power facilities of the enemy”.
open image in galleryCiting Kim, the state news agency said the tests proved the technological progress to change posture on southern border areas, implying the tested weapons would target sites in South Korea, including US military bases.
Kim said Pyongyang’s self-defence policy includes an objective to strengthen “the deadly and destructive offensive posture to make no enemy dare to confront,” KCNA said.
“To make the enemies feel constant uneasiness and fear is just as important an aspect of the exercise of war deterrent,” he said.
open image in galleryLater on Friday, South Korea’s Defence Ministry announced plans to bolster its drone forces, training the country’s entire 500,000 troops as “drone warriors”.
Citing growing military threats by North Korea, Seoul said it plans to develop long-range exploding drones and acquire over 20,000 low-cost reconnaissance and attack drones.
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open image in galleryThe South also alleged that Pyongyang has received technology assistance from Russia.
“North Korea is also currently receiving technology transfers from Russia, so there’s an urgent need for us to respond proactively to the changing nature of warfare and the evolving operational environment,” South Korean defence minister Ahn Gyu-back told reporters on Friday.
He said low-cost loitering munitions like drones are becoming crucial in modern warfare, citing observations from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Mr Ahn said the South plans to have 500,000 “drone warriors” across the army, navy, air force and marines who operate drones “easily like personal firearms.”
open image in galleryKim has been focusing on enlarging his nuclear and missile arsenals since his high-stakes diplomacy with US president Donald Trump collapsed in 2019. He has underscored the need to build sophisticated conventional weapons as well.
In response to the US president’s repeated outreach to restart diplomacy, Kim has suggested that talks can resume if the US drops its demand for denuclearisation of North Korea as a precondition of diplomacy.
The North Korean premier has taken a harsher posture on South Korea, calling it his country’s “principal enemy” and building more military structures along the rivals’ heavily fortified border.
open image in galleryMr Kim has boosted his diplomatic footprint in recent years by expanding ties with Russia with his support of its war against Ukraine.
Earlier this month, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited North Korea for the first time in seven years for a meeting with Kim.