Kim Jong-un orders North Korea’s military to ramp up ‘war preparations’
The secretive state’s media said on Thursday that Mr Kim had made orders to its military, munitions industry and nuclear weapons sector - while North Korea faces food shortages.
Kim Jong-un has ordered North Korea to accelerate war preparations after what he called ‘unprecedented confrontational moves’ by the US.
The secretive state’s media said on Thursday that its leader had made orders to its military, munitions industry, and nuclear weapons sector.
Mr Kim also said at a New Year policy meeting that he would expect to collaborate with ‘anti-imperialist independent’ countries.
Mr Kim’s stance follows Washington accusing Pyongyang of supplying military equipment to Moscow for use in its war with Ukraine.
US National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby claimed on December 14 that the dealings had taken place.
Russia has been reportedly providing technical support in exchange for helping North Korea to advance its military capabilities.
Mr Kirby said: ‘We condemn [North Korea] for providing Russia with this military equipment, which will be used to attack Ukrainian cities, kill Ukrainian civilians and further Russia’s illegitimate war.’
On Thursday, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol visited a frontline military unit in the eastern county of Yeoncheon.
He called for an immediate retaliation to any provocation from North Korea. Mr Yoon said: ‘I urge you to immediately and firmly crush the enemy’s will for a provocation on the spot.’
At the New Year briefing, Mr Kim said 2024 will be a ‘decisive year’ for the economy as part of the country’s five-year development plan.
KCNA added: ‘He… clarified the important tasks for the new year to be dynamically pushed forward in the key industrial sectors [and called for] the stabilising of agricultural production on a high level.’
Mr Kim is looking to address the serious food shortages that have hit North Korea over the years, including the devastating famine in the 1990s. It has been noted by commentators that the country’s food security has been weakened by the Covid-19 pandemic.
North Korea has suffered serious food shortages in recent decades, including famine in the 1990s, often as a result of natural disasters.
The country did enjoy an improved crop output in 2023 but South Korean officials have said that the amount is far below what is needed.
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