Kim Jong-un announced that North Korea would develop its nuclear weapons “as quickly as possible”

Kim Jong-un, North Korea’s controversial leader, announced Monday night, at a military parade in Pyongyang, that his country would develop and strengthen its nuclear weapons.as quickly as possible“, which raised a global alert.

“We will continue to take steps to strengthen and develop our nuclear capabilities at a faster pace“, Said the dictator, according to the official news agency of the KCNA.

It was in the framework of the celebration of the 90th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People’s Revolutionary Army, held at Kim Il-sung Square.

Because of unsuccessful attempts to convince Kim to abandon his nuclear weapons program, North Korea faces tough international sanctions. However, the president started 2022 with a intercontinental and hypersonic missile test recordin what is meant as an open challenge to his enemies.

Kim said Monday that the country’s nuclear weapons were “a symbol of national power” and they must be diversified.

“In anticipation of the turbulent political and military situation and all sorts of future crises … we will increase our nuclear force as soon as possible,” he stressed.

Kim noted that the primary function of his country’s nuclear weapons is deterrence, but that can be used if the “fundamental interests” of the country are being attacked.

He stressed that Pyongyang would prepare thoroughly to use nuclear deterrence at any time and warned that any foreign force seeking military confrontation “will cease to exist”.

“Our important mission was to prevent a war scenario, but we cannot allow our nuclear weapons to be limited only to preventing a war waiting for a situation to arise that we don’t want to see in this world, ”Kim added.

The military parade is expected to showcase the latest in the North’s arsenal, including the “monster” Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), as well as hypersonic missiles and submarines.

According to the KCNA, the parade featured the Hwasong-17, which Pyongyang claims was successfully tested on March 24.

“The spectators shouted loudly, excited to see the Hwasong-17 ICBM in the air on March 24 to show the world the absolute power and strategic position of our republic,” reported the KCNA, which also released footage of the parade.

An increase of concern

North Korea, which remains completely cut off from the outside of the pandemic, is conducting a record number of weapons tests, including the first from an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in five yearswith the goal of completing a weapons modernization program approved last year.

In turn, the satellites take over preparations for what is believed to be Pyongyang’s first nuclear test since 2017.

In South Korea, which in turn responds to the formation of new arms assets, its new president, conservative Yoon Suk-yeol, will take power within two weeks, vowing to maintain a less tolerant attitude to neighboring countries to the north ..

With information from the AFP and EFE

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