North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has announced new targets for the Armed Forces in a report to the main figures of the country’s ruling party, which recommends further weapons testing in 2023, state media reported.
Kim is currently chairing a meeting of the Workers’ Party of Korea in Pyongyang, which is expected to set the country’s goals for the coming year in areas such as diplomacy, security, and the economy.
It reported that the official KCNA news agency has “set new key targets in 2023 to strengthen self-confident defense capability” without further details.
According to KCNA, the report “analyzed and evaluated the new challenging situation created on the Korean peninsula”, in clear reference to the recently heightened tensions with South Korea.
KCNA added that Kim underlined “the orientation to fight the enemy, which must be embraced by our party.”
North Korea has conducted a record number of weapons tests this year, including launching intercontinental ballistic missiles banned under UN sanctions.
Pyongyang also escalated tensions with Seoul with artillery fire targeting maritime protection zones. Earlier this week, the country sent drones into South Korean airspace.
The attack by five drones, the first of its kind since 2017, prompted Seoul to fire warning shots and deploy fighter jets and helicopters to try to shoot down the drones.
Year-end plenary meetings in North Korea are often used by the regime to present local and international priorities for the coming year.
At the 2021 event, Kim highlighted domestic politics, primarily the economy and agriculture, but analysts believe he should highlight the work of the Armed Forces this year.
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© Agence France-Presse
source: Noticias
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.