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Kim Sets New Military Objectives For 2023 After Year Of Unprecedented Weapons Tests

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un unveiled new military objectives on the second day of a key Workers' Party meeting, implying another year of intensive weapons testing and regional tension, according to state media

Photo Credit : KCNA,

Kim Jong Un's remarks could imply that he will conduct more tests and expand military capabilities in the coming year.

According to state media, north Korean leader Kim Jong Un unveiled new military objectives on the second day of a key Workers' Party meeting, implying another year of intensive weapons testing and regional tension.

According to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim reviewed the “newly created challenging situation” on the Korean Peninsula and the broader political landscapes on the second day of the meeting on Wednesday 

According to South Korea's Yonhap News Agency, Kim also set the “anti-enemy struggle” direction and goals for reinforcing self-defence in 2023.

He specified the principles of foreign affairs and the direction of the battle against the enemy that our party and government must strictly follow in order to protect sovereign rights and defend national interests, according to KCNA.

New core goals for strengthening self-defence capabilities have been presented in preparation for diverse fluctuations in the political situation, North Korea's official news agency added.

The KCNA did not provide specifics on the self-defence objectives, but Kim's comments suggest that he may continue to accelerate and expand the country's military capabilities.

The high-level meeting in Pyongyang comes after a year of unprecedented North Korean weapons tests, large-scale military exercises between South Korean and US forces and North Korean drones crossing into South Korea on Monday, prompting Seoul to scramble fighter jets and attack helicopters in a failed attempt to shoot them down.

Pyongyang launched dozens of ballistic missiles this year, many of which were intended to test and develop “top priority” strategic weapons under a five-year plan laid out at the Workers' Party congress in early 2021.

Tactical nuclear weapons, a new intercontinental ballistic missile, hypersonic gliding flight warheads, nuclear-powered submarines and a military reconnaissance satellite are among the weapons to be developed under the plan.

During the plenary meeting, Kim also identified “a series of serious shortcomings” in areas such as science, education and health this year, suggested solutions and outlined key tasks for next year, according to KCNA.

The economy is also a priority for Kim, who is under increasing pressure from international sanctions, the fallout from a nationwide Covid-19 lockdown and natural disasters.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the meeting will continue for a third day on Thursday.


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