Kim Jong-un "Must Establish Enhanced Nuclear Capability Posture"
250 New Launchers Deployed to Frontline Units
Expected 'Successor Training'... Daughter Ju-ae Reappears
With the Amnok River swelling and North Korea suffering severe flood damage, the country has deployed hundreds of new missile launchers to its frontline units. Kim Jong Un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, stated, "We will quickly establish a more complete and advanced level of nuclear capability posture that can deter all nuclear threats and defend ourselves from them, and will strongly respond to any challenge."
According to the Korean Central News Agency on the 5th, Kim participated in the handover ceremony of new tactical ballistic missile launchers held in Pyongyang the previous night. In his speech, he declared, "Our strength will continuously evolve, and our dominance will forever deny limits."
Kim Jong-un Attends Handover Ceremony of New Tactical Ballistic Missile Launcher Photo by Yonhap News
Kim said that 250 new missile launchers "produced with our own strength and technology" were delivered to the frontline units along the border, adding, "With overwhelming offensive and striking superiority, we have gained operational initiative, and the practical aspects of special physical force tactical nuclear weapons have also been enhanced." Photos released by North Korea suggest that the newly delivered weapon system is the short-range ballistic missile (CRBM) 'Hwasong-11-Ra' launcher. They have deployed 250 such launchers in actual combat near the Military Demarcation Line with the South.
He particularly justified the military buildup by targeting the United States. He said, "The U.S.-led alliance has transformed in essence and character into a nuclear-based military bloc," and "(therefore, North Korea) is facing strategic and structural major changes." He added, "Dialogue or confrontation can be our choice, but what must be more thoroughly prepared for is confrontation," and warned, "The more the military provocations of the U.S. and its top lackeys become excessive and ferocious, the more it will serve as proof of the legitimacy of our cause."
Kim Jong-un Attends Handover Ceremony of New Tactical Ballistic Missile Launcher Photo by Yonhap News
Kim repeatedly mentioned the United States and intensified his criticism but did not specifically mention the South. However, his remarks such as "True peace is guaranteed by the establishment of strong power" and "Peace is firmly guaranteed only by absolute invincible self-defense power" can be interpreted as a counter to the Yoon Suk Yeol administration's North Korea policy, which is based on the banner of 'peace through strength.' For the time being, inter-Korean relations are expected to continue in a strong-versus-strong phase.
North Korea recently suffered severe flood damage in the areas of Sinuiju City and Uiju County in North Pyongan Province due to the swelling of the Amnok River caused by heavy rains. The promotion of defense capability achievements during such a time is interpreted as an attempt to rally internal unity and stabilize wavering public sentiment. Chairman Kim Jong Un rejected the South Korean government's offer of flood relief, calling them "an enemy that cannot change," while responding to Russia's offer by saying, "We will ask for help when necessary."
Notably, Ju Ae, Kim's daughter who had briefly disappeared from public view after attending the completion ceremony of the Pyongyang Vanguard Street in May, reappeared at this event. The National Intelligence Service has assessed that Ju Ae is receiving 'successor training.' At the ceremony, she watched the event from the stage alongside party, government, and military officials. Despite North Korea's strong male chauvinistic ideology, Ju Ae, as a 'female' and 'young' individual, focuses about 70% of her public activities on military affairs.
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