North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited arms factories this week amid criticism of the country's arms transfers with Russia.
Kim's visit comes as nearly 50 countries criticized Russia's procurement and use of North Korean ballistic missiles against Ukraine.
Kim Jong Un Visits North Korean Arms Factories
This pool image distributed by Sputnik agency shows North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un during his visit at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Amur region on September 13, 2023, ahead of planned talks with Russian President that could lead to a weapons deal.
According to KCNA, Kim emphasized the recent shortcomings in the organization of munitions production. He also called for the readjustment, highlighting the strategic importance of producing major weapons.
KCNA photos showed Kim's visit to a munitions factory, examining mobile short-range missile launch vehicles.
On Tuesday, a joint statement using the initials of North Korea's official name was released and said Russia's use of DPRK ballistic missiles in Ukraine also provided valuable technical and military insights to the DPRK.
The White House reported that White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan was on a phone call with his South Korean colleague, Chang Ho-jin, on Tuesday. Sullivan emphasized that he condemned North Korea's transfer of the missiles to Russia.
According to US national security council spokesman John Kirby, Russia fired more of these weapons at Ukraine, including one that landed in Kharkiv following the first confirmed uses of North Korean ballistic missiles on December 30 and January 2.
On Wednesday, Kirby stated at a briefing that the US and its allies will bring up the issue with the UN Security Council. Kim said that the time has come to define South Korea as a state most hostile towards the country.
He accused Seoul of inciting confrontation and an arms buildup and urged his nation to increase its military capabilities for self-defense and its nuclear war deterrent. He claimed that the deteriorating relations between the two Koreas represent a new phase of change and an unavoidable reality.
"We would by no means unilaterally bring a great event by the overwhelming strength in the Korean peninsula, but we have no intention of avoiding a war as well," Kim said.
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North Korea Accelerates War Preparations
Furthermore, Kim declared that a peaceful reunification was unattainable during last month's year-end party meeting. He also stated that the government would implement a decisive policy change in relations with South Korea.
Kim has ordered the North Korean military to prepare for war with the munitions industry due to an unprecedented threat from the US. This week, he addressed the country's goals for the upcoming year at a party meeting.
North Korea will carry out weapon tests to update its nuclear arsenal. Experts believe Kim intends to use the bolstered arsenal as leverage in upcoming negotiations with Washington, possibly following the 2024 US presidential election.
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