North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reasserted his commitment to enhancing the country’s nuclear capabilities to be combat-ready against the United States and its allies, according to reports from state media on Tuesday. This declaration follows the unveiling of a new platform believed to be designed for launching stronger intercontinental ballistic missiles aimed at the U.S. mainland.
Kim’s latest warning coincides with expectations from experts that North Korea may carry out provocative weapons tests leading up to the U.S. presidential election in November. The country has recently resumed the launch of balloons carrying trash towards South Korea.
During a speech commemorating the 76th anniversary of his government on Monday, Kim expressed concerns about what he deemed as the escalating expansion of a U.S.-led regional military coalition evolving into a nuclear-oriented one. He highlighted this as a pressing threat necessitating the reinforcement of North Korea’s military capabilities, as stated by the official Korean Central News Agency.
North Korea has been vocal in opposition to the new U.S.-South Korean defense guideline signed in July, which aims to integrate U.S. nuclear weapons with South Korean conventional arms to address growing nuclear threats from North Korea. Despite North Korea’s claims that the guideline exposes intentions to invade the country, U.S. and South Korean officials have affirmed that they do not harbor such plans.
Since 2022, North Korea has intensified its weapons testing program to enhance its capacity to launch attacks on the U.S. and South Korea. In response, the U.S. and South Korea have expanded their joint military exercises, which North Korea criticizes as rehearsals for invasion.
Experts believe that while North Korea may still face technological barriers in developing long-range nuclear missiles capable of reaching the U.S. mainland, it likely possesses missiles capable of targeting key locations in South Korea and Japan.
There are concerns that North Korea might conduct nuclear tests or ICBM launches before the U.S. election to strengthen its position in future negotiations with the U.S. It is speculated that North Korea sees enhanced nuclear capabilities as a means to secure concessions such as sanctions relief from the U.S.
Although North Korea did not stage any major military displays as of Tuesday morning to mark its founding anniversary, a photo published in the North’s Rodong Sinmun newspaper on Sunday showed Kim inspecting what appeared to be a large missile launch vehicle. This raised suspicions that North Korea could be developing a new, larger ICBM compared to its current Hwasong-17 model.
When questioned about the image on Monday, Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder declined to provide a specific evaluation of North Korea’s missile capabilities. He reiterated that the U.S. was collaborating closely with Seoul, Tokyo, and other partners to uphold regional security and deter potential threats.
North Korea’s recent act of floating balloons filled with rubbish towards South Korea for multiple consecutive days has exacerbated tensions on the Korean Peninsula. This campaign, reminiscent of Cold War-era psychological warfare, involved balloons containing waste papers and vinyl, with no significant damage reported.
The balloon activity initiated by North Korea in response to South Korean civilian propaganda leaflets being flown across the border began in late May. In retaliation, South Korea resumed its propaganda broadcasts via loudspeakers along the heavily fortified demilitarized zone separating the two nations.
Observers note North Korea’s sensitivity towards South Korean leafleting initiatives and loudspeaker broadcasts, as they could undermine the government’s efforts to control access to outside information for its populace of 26 million people.
