[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, raised his voice at the National Veterans' Congress, stating that "we are fully prepared to deal with any situation or threat," but he did not mention the 'nuclear deterrent' that he referred to at the same event last year. It appears that he moderated the tone of his remarks amid the improving atmosphere in inter-Korean relations, such as the restoration of inter-Korean communication lines.
According to a report by the Korean Central News Agency on the 28th, Kim attended the 7th National Veterans' Congress held on the 27th in front of the Monument to the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War in Pyongyang and made these remarks. References to the United States, such as "the gangster-like invasion of American imperialism" and "the follower state aggressor led by the American monster," were only mentioned in a general manner.
While emphasizing the importance of military power amid changing circumstances, it is notable that he did not mention the "self-defensive nuclear deterrent" as he did last year. At last year's Veterans' Congress, Kim stated, "With a reliable and effective self-defensive nuclear deterrent, the word war will not exist on this land, and the nation's safety and future will be firmly guaranteed," indicating an intention to strengthen national defense through nuclear deterrence.
Professor Yang Moo-jin of the University of North Korean Studies said, "The absence of any mention of the South and the omission of nuclear capabilities seem to indicate a deliberate restraint in expression and an intention to moderate the tone."
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