
North Korea's Kim orders military to 'thoroughly annihilate' U.S., South Korea if provoked
The Hindu
Kim Jong Un orders military to "annihilate" US & South Korea if provoked; plans to boost nuclear arsenal & test ICBMs.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered his military to “thoroughly annihilate” the United States and South Korea if provoked, State media reported on January 1, after he vowed to boost national defence to cope with what he called an unprecedented U.S.-led confrontation.
Mr. Kim is expected to ramp up weapons tests in 2024 ahead of the U.S. presidential election in November. Many experts say he likely believes his expanded nuclear arsenal would allow him to wrest U.S. concessions if former President Donald Trump is reelected.
Also read: North Korea’s Kim vows to bolster war readiness to repel ‘unprecedented’ U.S.-led confrontations
In a five-day major ruling party meeting last week, Mr. Kim said he will launch three more military spy satellites, produce more nuclear materials and develop attack drones this year in what observers say is an attempt to increase his leverage in future diplomacy with the U.S.
In a meeting on December 31 with commanding army officers, Mr. Kim said it is urgent to sharpen “the treasured sword” to safeguard national security, an apparent reference to his country’s nuclear weapons program. He cited “the U.S. and other hostile forces’ military confrontation moves,” according to the official Korean Central News Agency.
Mr. Kim stressed that “our army should deal a deadly blow to thoroughly annihilate them by mobilising all the toughest means and potentialities without moment’s hesitation” if they opt for military confrontation and provocations against North Korea, KCNA (Korean Central News Agency) said.
In his New Year’s Day address on January 1, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said he will strengthen his military's preemptive strike, missile defence and retaliatory capabilities in response to the North Korean nuclear threat.