rki.news | Source: Xinhua
PYONGYANG, June 23 — The top leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) has vowed to strengthen national defense capabilities during a key meeting of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK), state media reported on Tuesday.
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the WPK, made the remarks at the Second Plenary Meeting of the Ninth Central Committee of the WPK held from Saturday to Monday, according to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
He said the United States and South Korea are “getting ever more undisguised in their moves towards the reinforcement and modernization of armed forces in the region,” including support for South Korea’s pursuit of nuclear-powered submarine capability and the holding of meetings of the “Nuclear Consultative Group,” which he said is aggravating tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
The DPRK leader urged accelerating construction of a 10,000-ton strategic guided missile cruiser and advancing development and production of powerful conventional weapons.
He also stressed completing ongoing projects to strengthen the southern border and establishing new naval bases to enhance defense readiness.
Kim reiterated that foreign policy should focus on safeguarding national interests and building a strong state with a powerful military, emphasizing independent diplomatic engagement to support economic and defense goals.