North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has issued directives to expedite war preparations by the military, munitions industry, and nuclear weapons sector in response to what he termed as unprecedented confrontational moves by the U.S., according to state media reports on Thursday.
Kim, speaking at a crucial meeting of the country’s ruling party on Wednesday, also announced plans to enhance strategic cooperation with “anti-imperialist independent” countries, as reported by the KCNA news agency.
“He (Kim) set forth the militant tasks for the People’s Army and the munitions industry, nuclear weapons, and civil defense sectors to further accelerate the war preparations,” stated KCNA.
North Korea has been strengthening ties with Russia, among other nations, amidst allegations by Washington of Pyongyang supplying military equipment to Moscow. Meanwhile, Russia is providing technical support to help North Korea advance its military capabilities.
Kim also outlined economic goals for the upcoming year, deeming it a “decisive year” to achieve the country’s five-year development plan. The report highlighted Kim’s emphasis on pushing forward key industrial sectors and stabilizing agricultural production at a high level.
The 9th plenary meeting of the 8th central committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, which commenced on Tuesday, marks the conclusion of a year during which North Korea enshrined its nuclear policy in the constitution, launched a spy satellite, and test-fired a new intercontinental ballistic missile.
