North Korean leader Kim Jong Un wrapped the
year with fresh threats of a nuclear attack on Seoul and orders for a
military arsenal build-up to prepare for a war that can “break out at any
time” on the peninsula, state media reported Sunday.
Kim lambasted the United States during a lengthy speech at the end of five
days of year-end party meetings that set his country’s military, political,
and economic policy decisions for 2024.
The meeting announced plans for further military development in the coming
year, including launching three more spy satellites, building unmanned drones
and developing electronic warfare capabilities, as well as strengthening
nuclear and missile forces, according to the official Korean Central News
Agency (KCNA).
Pyongyang this year successfully launched a reconnaissance satellite,
enshrined its status as a nuclear power in its constitution, and test-fired
the most advanced intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in its arsenal.
At the meeting that ended Saturday, Kim accused the United States of posing
“various types of military threat” and ordered his armed forces to maintain
“overwhelming war response capability”, according to KCNA.
It is a “fait accompli that a war can break out at any time on the Korean
peninsula due to reckless moves by the enemies to invade us”, Kim said.
In an effort to deter Pyongyang, Washington earlier this month deployed a
nuclear-powered submarine in the South Korean port city of Busan, and flew
its long-range bombers in drills with Seoul and Tokyo.
The North has previously described the deployment of Washington’s strategic
weapons — such as B-52 bombers — in joint drills on the Korean peninsula as
the “intentional nuclear war provocative moves”.
“We must respond quickly to a possible nuclear crisis and continue to
accelerate preparations to pacify the entire territory of South Korea by
mobilising all physical means and forces, including nuclear force, in case of
emergency,” Kim said.
– ‘Uncontrollable crisis situation’ –
At the meeting, Kim said he would no longer seek reconciliation and
reunification with South Korea, noting the “persisting uncontrollable crisis
situation” which he said was triggered by Seoul and Washington.
Inter-Korean relations have deteriorated to a low point this year, with
Pyongyang’s spy satellite launch prompting Seoul to partially suspend a 2018
military agreement aimed at defusing tensions.
“I believe that it is a mistake that we should no longer make to consider the
people who declare us as the ‘main enemy’… as a counterpart for
reconciliation and unification,” KCNA cited Kim as saying.
Kim ordered the drawing-up of measures for reorganising departments handling
cross-border affairs, to “fundamentally shift the direction”.
Leif Easley, a professor of international relations at Ewha University in
Seoul, said the emphasis on North Korea’s “significant military capabilities”
was likely aimed at hiding the country’s poor economic achievements this
year.
“Much of what state-controlled media publishes is recycled propaganda,” he
said, adding: “Pyongyang’s bellicose rhetoric suggests its military moves are
not only about deterrence but also domestic politics and international
coercion.”
Pyongyang declared itself an “irreversible” nuclear power last year and has
repeatedly said it will never give up its nukes programme, which the regime
views as essential for its survival.
The United Nations Security Council has adopted many resolutions calling on
North Korea to halt its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes since it
first conducted a nuclear test in 2006. (BSS/AFP)
