SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has called for the strengthening of the country’s war deterrence capabilities, emphasizing nuclear readiness in response to perceived increasing nuclear threats from the United States. This directive was reported by state media on Wednesday, highlighting ongoing tensions between the two nations.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim Jong-un made these remarks during an inspection of North Korea’s “strategic missile bases.” The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that the inspection involved a review of the key functions and capabilities of the missile bases’ launch facilities, as well as assessing the operational readiness of the strategic missile units. The specific location and date of this inspection were not disclosed by the report.
Kim underscored the necessity of modernizing and reinforcing the missile bases to ensure that all facilities are prepared to maintain a robust counteraction posture. The KCNA dispatch highlighted Kim’s assertion that U.S. strategi
c nuclear means pose an increasing threat to the security environment of North Korea. He called for urgent measures to bolster the nation’s war deterrence and establish a thorough counteraction posture for its nuclear forces.
The call for enhanced deterrence comes amid heightened tensions in recent weeks as North Korea has disclosed its uranium enrichment facility, launched ballistic missiles, and sent trash-carrying balloons across the border. These actions coincide with the upcoming U.S. election, which is just two weeks away, adding further complexity to the geopolitical landscape.