Kim Jong Un Announces North Korea's Ascent to a Nuclear 'Military Superpower'

North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, has proclaimed that his nation is on the path to becoming a "military superpower" with the capability to employ nuclear weapons. This option, he stated, would not be off the table in the event of an adversary's assault.

North Korea's Pursuit of Nuclear Power

In a speech delivered at the University of National Defense on Monday, Kim stated that North Korea's progress towards becoming a nuclear power and a military superpower will hasten. He pointed out the US's deployment of its forces, including nuclear assets, on the Korean peninsula in support of Seoul as a justification for seeking nuclear superpower status. Kim criticized the military alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea, stating that it has become entirely nuclear-based. He emphasized the need for North Korea to maintain its military readiness at an extremely high level.

North Korea's Stance on Defense

In his speech, which was later transcribed by the state-run KCNA, Kim stressed that while North Korea has no intention of attacking South Korea, it would not hesitate to use its full military force if an enemy tries to use force against it. He added that this scenario does not exclude the possibility of employing nuclear weapons. Kim also referred to the United States as "the world’s largest nuclear power" and stated that North Korea will not tolerate any disruption to the military balance of power on the Korean Peninsula.

Kim Jong Un's Relationship with Russia

Interestingly, in the same speech in which he advocated for increased military readiness, Kim also sent a birthday congratulatory message to Russian President Vladimir Putin. He referred to Putin as his "closest comrade" and expressed his optimism that their "strategic and cooperative relations" will soon reach a new level, contributing to the defense of regional and global peace and international justice.

North Korea's Alleged Construction of a Nuclear-Powered Submarine

The Yonhap News Agency reported on Tuesday that North Korea is likely constructing a new nuclear-powered submarine, which is seen as part of Kim's broader strategy to realize his 'superpower' vision. The report noted that Kim had inspected a project to build a nuclear-powered submarine earlier this year, after promising to develop such a submarine and other advanced weapons systems during a ruling party congress in 2021. South Korea's military intelligence has reported initial signs of the submarine's construction. However, they stated that as the construction is still in its early stages, further verification is required to confirm whether it is indeed nuclear-powered.

Bottom Line

The implications of North Korea becoming a nuclear 'military superpower' are significant and far-reaching. The nation's potential development of a nuclear-powered submarine could alter the balance of power in the region and beyond. What are your thoughts on this development? Feel free to share this article with your friends and discuss it. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6pm.