N.Korea’s Kim calls for stronger military as nuclear test work ‘well underway’ -Breaking
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© Reuters. Kim Jong Un, North Korean leader, meets soldiers who took part in the military parade marking the 90th anniversary the founding of Korea’s People’s Revolutionary Army. This undated photograph was released by North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency. (KCN).2/3
Josh Smith
SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un urged the nation’s military to “bolster their strength in any way to annihilate our enemy,” state media reported. New satellite imagery indicated that there were increased preparations to conduct a nuclear attack.
Kim said these remarks in photo sessions held with soldiers, journalists and other participants in the massive military parade that was staged Monday to mark the 90th anniversary the founding of the army.
Kim was photographed on a white horse while reviewing the troops. State media released photos showing Kim in a tunic-style military white shirt with gold trim.
The parade featured several North missiles including the Hwasong-17 (largest intercontinental ballistic missile, ICBM) and a newly tested hypersonic weapon.
According to state media KCNA, Kim said that the display showed the “modernity and heroism of the armed forces and their unparalleled military and technological superiority.”
North Korea has stated it does not support war and said its weapons were for self defense. However, Kim at Monday’s parade claimed that while the goal of the North Korean nuclear force is to deter war but also includes defending its “fundamental rights.”
North Korea has resumed the testing of its biggest ICBMs last month, with signs that it may soon be testing a nuclear weapon.
The U.S-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), said that “current satellite imagery suggests that preparations are well underway and shouldn’t be dismissed as insignificant activity” in its report published on Thursday.
According to analysts, South Korean officials and U.S. officials, the North seems to be working on Tunnel No. 3. The Punggye-ri Nuclear Testing Site was previously used for underground nuclear blasts. It closed down in 2018.
Kim stated since that North Korea is not bound by the self-imposed moratorium against testing, but North Korea still hasn’t commented or confirmed the purpose of the work.
On Monday, satellite imagery commercial shows the construction of new buildings and movement of lumber. There is also an increase in supplies and equipment immediately outside of Tunnel No. CSIS reported 3.
The report stated that “The date for a seventh nuclear attack will depend solely on the personal decision made by Kim Jong Un.”
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