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EMP: The Biggest Military Threat America Faces Today?
Quotes of the Day:
"Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man."
- Benjamin Franklin
"History is not there for you to like or dislike. It is there for you to learn from it. And if it offends you, even better. Because then you are less likely to repeat it. It's not yours to erase. It belongs to all of us."
- Unknown
"In their moral justification, the argument of the lesser evil has played a prominent role. If you are confronted with two evils, the argument runs, it is your duty to opt for the lesser one, whereas it is irresponsible to refuse to choose altogether. Its weakness has always been that those who choose the lesser evil forget quickly that they chose evil."
- Hannah Arendt
1. N. Korea fires one SRBM into East Sea: S. Korean military
2. North Korea’s Kim Jong Un Vows to Increase Nuclear Arsenal
3. Seoul warns use of nuclear weapons would end Kim Jong-un regime
4. [Full Text] New Year Address to Nation by President Yoon Suk Yeol
5. Test-fire of Super-large Multiple Rocket Launchers Held (north Korea)
6. Press Release of 6th Plenary Meeting of 8th C.C., WPK
7. Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Makes Reply Speech at Ceremony of Donating 600mm Super-large Multiple Launch Rocket System
8. [Editorial] Defending against missile provocations
9. North Korean leader skips New Year message for four straight years
10. Yoon calls for ready-to-fight spirit, firm retaliation against N.K. provocations
11. N. Korea distributes propaganda calendars in China
12. Seoul, Tokyo considering sharing radar information on NK missiles in real time: report
13. NK replaces party secretary, defense minister in major reshuffle
14. Report on 6th Enlarged Plenary Meeting of 8th WPK Central Committee
15. N. Korea’s Kim vows ‘exponential’ increase in nuclear arsenal in new year
1. N. Korea fires one SRBM into East Sea: S. Korean military
Kim Jong Un says happy new year to the South and the US.
(3rd LD) N. Korea fires one SRBM into East Sea: S. Korean military | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by 이치동 · January 1, 2023
(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with N. Korea's announcement, U.S. military's response, other details)
SEOUL, Jan. 1 (Yonhap) -- North Korea fired one short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) into the East Sea on Sunday, South Korea's military said.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the launch from the Ryongsong area in Pyongyang at 2:50 a.m., adding the missile flew some 400 kilometers before splashing into the sea.
It appears to be another response to Seoul's test launch of a homegrown solid-propellant space rocket on Friday, according to North Korea observers.
On Saturday morning, the North shot three SRBMs from Chunghwa County, just south of Pyongyang, into the East Sea.
In its own announcement, meanwhile, the North said it fired "super-large" caliber artillery shells on Saturday and Sunday in sample tests.
The multiple rocket launcher system has been presented to the ruling Workers' Party of Korea during its key plenary session, the KCNA reported.
The North's leader Kim Jong-un said the 600-mm super-large shells can be loaded with tactical nuclear warheads with the entire South in range, the KCNA added.
The South's military categorizes such super-large multiple rocket launchers as SRBMs, given their ranges and trajectories.
The JCS denounced the North's latest missile launch as an act of "significant provocation" that harms peace and stability not only on the Korean Peninsula but also in the international community, and a "clear" breach of U.N. Security Council resolutions.
"Our military will maintain a solid readiness posture based on capabilities to respond overwhelmingly to any North Korean provocations, "the JCS said in a text message sent to reporters.
The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command also said in a statement that the firing highlights the "destabilizing impact" of North Korea's unlawful weapons programs.
The North launched around 70 ballistic missiles last year alone.
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · by 이치동 · January 1, 2023
2. North Korea’s Kim Jong Un Vows to Increase Nuclear Arsenal
North Korea’s Kim Jong Un Vows to Increase Nuclear Arsenal
The North Korean leader orders the development of a new ICBM system
By Dasl Yoon
Dec. 31, 2022 10:19 pm ET
https://www.wsj.com/articles/north-koreas-kim-jong-un-vows-to-increase-nuclear-arsenal-11672543193?mod=Searchresults_pos1&page=1
SEOUL—North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to develop a new intercontinental ballistic missile system and exponentially increase his nuclear arsenal, according to year-end comments published by state media on Sunday.
At a meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party, Mr. Kim called on the country to beef up its military strength and boost its nuclear arsenal to counter threats from the U.S. and South Korea. Mr. Kim said the U.S. and other hostile forces were “isolating and stifling” North Korea, calling it “unprecedented in human history,” according to the Sunday state media report.
He ordered the development of a new ICBM system capable of carrying out a quick nuclear counterstrike. North Korea has tested a solid-fuel rocket engine that is central to quicker deployment of its long-range missiles. North Korea’s space agency would also launch its first military reconnaissance satellite as soon as possible, Mr. Kim said.
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In his speech, Mr. Kim emphasized his nuclear weapons could be used for offensive purposes. In September, North Korea passed a new law allowing pre-emptive nuclear strikes. At the time, Mr. Kim declared he would never abandon his nuclear weapons.
Mr. Kim delivered his speech on the final day of the party meeting, which began on Monday and ended on Saturday.
The Sunday state media report followed an overnight missile launch from North Korea. Pyongyang launched one short-range ballistic missile around 2:50 a.m. on Sunday from the capital area, Seoul’s military said. The missile traveled about 249 miles before falling into waters between Korea and Japan.
Pyongyang conducted a record number of missile launches in 2022, including an ICBM, a submarine-launched missile and dozens of short-range ballistic missiles. Of the more than 270 missile launches by North Korea since 1984, more than a quarter came in 2022, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based think tank.
On Saturday, North Korea had launched three ballistic missiles from North Hwanghae Province, south of the capital Pyongyang, at around 8 a.m., according to Seoul’s military. The missiles flew at an altitude of around 62 miles and covered a range of about 217 miles, Japan’s Defense Ministry said.
North Korean state media said the missile tests on Saturday and Sunday were from super-large multiple rocket launchers, fired to demonstrate their combat performance. In a speech, Mr. Kim said the multiple rocket launchers can strike anywhere in South Korea and carry tactical nuclear weapons. The weapon would serve the mission to “overwhelmingly subdue” North Korea’s enemies, Mr. Kim said, according to the country’s main newspaper Rodong Sinmun.
In December, Pyongyang conducted a launch to evaluate the performance of components of a military reconnaissance satellite, set to be completed by April 2023, according to state media. It also flew five drones over South Korean territory on Monday, prompting South Korea’s military to scramble jet fighters and conduct aerial defense drills.
During the party meeting, Mr. Kim said South Korea had become “our undoubted enemy,” signaling a further escalation in inter-Korean relations. Ties between the two Koreas have grown more tense since South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol took office in May, pledging a tougher line against Pyongyang.
In 2022, the U.S. and South Korea resumed large-scale joint military drills and strengthened trilateral cooperation with Japan to counter North Korea’s threat. Mr. Kim called these “worrying military moves” and accused Washington and Seoul of increasing military pressure on Pyongyang to the maximum.
Animosities between the two Koreas have deepened the past year, and Mr. Kim’s comments suggest he will continue weapons tests and expand his nuclear arsenal despite international sanctions and U.S.-led pressure campaigns, North Korea watchers say. North Korea could try to use its advanced nuclear capabilities to seek concessions such as sanctions relief.
Though North Korea has rejected engagement with the U.S. or South Korea since President Biden took office, it is likely calculating its next moves ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential elections to see if more favorable conditions are created for the Kim regime, said Go Myong-Hyun, a senior fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul.
“With additional international sanctions and pressure from Washington, the conditions are not favorable for Pyongyang and there might be a sudden shift to diplomacy following the provocation cycle,” Mr. Go said.
—Chieko Tsuneoka in Tokyo contributed to this article.
3. Seoul warns use of nuclear weapons would end Kim Jong-un regime
Strength and resolve.
We must never forget: The root of all problems in Korea is the existence of the most evil mafia- like crime family cult known as the Kim family regime that has the objective of dominating the Korean Peninsula under the rule of the Guerrilla Dynasty and Gulag State.
Sunday
January 1, 2023
dictionary + A - A
Seoul warns use of nuclear weapons would end Kim Jong-un regime
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2023/01/01/national/defense/North-Korea-Kim-Jongun-missiles/20230101163837763.html
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un speaks at a plenary meeting of the Workers' Party in a photo released by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) Sunday. [YONHAP]
South Korea's Defense Ministry warned that any attempts by North Korea to use nuclear weapons will mean the end of the Kim Jong-un regime Sunday.
The statement comes after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un ordered that the the country's nuclear arsenal be "exponentially" expanded and a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) developed in the new year, according to state media Sunday.
Seoul's warning also comes after Pyongyang fired a series of short-range missiles over Saturday and Sunday, on New Year's Eve and Day.
"We sternly warn that if North Korea attempts to use its nuclear weapons, the Kim Jong-un regime will face its end," said Seoul's Ministry of National Defense. "North Korea must immediately stop developing nuclear weapons, which the entire international community opposes with one voice, and return to the path of denuclearization, clearly recognizing that this is the only way to improve the lives of North Koreans."
Kim was quoted as saying Saturday by the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in an English-language report that in a situation in which South Korea has become an "undoubted enemy," this "highlights the importance and necessity of a mass-producing of tactical nuclear weapons and calls for an exponential increase of the country's nuclear arsenal."
He made the remarks at a six-day plenary meeting of the North's ruling Workers' Party that ended Saturday and set Pyongyang's major policy directions for this year.
Kim also ordered the development of "another ICBM system whose main mission is quick nuclear counterstrike," reported the KCNA. This comes as Kim worries that the United States is pushing to form a NATO-like regional military bloc.
Kim also pushed for North Korea to launch its first military reconnaissance satellite as soon as possible.
On Saturday at around 8 a.m., the North fired three short-range ballistic missiles (SRBM) from Chungwha County in North Hwanghae Province into the East Sea, said South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).
Pyongyang launched another SRBM into the East Sea less than three hours into the New Year, the JCS confirmed early Sunday.
The JCS said it detected the launch from the Ryongsong area in Pyongyang at 2:50 a.m., adding the missile flew some 400 kilometers (249 miles) before splashing into the sea.
The JCS said that the South Korean military "is maintaining full preparedness while closely cooperating with the United States and strengthening surveillance and vigilance."
The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement that the U.S. commitments to defend South Korea and Japan "remain ironclad."
This brought the total number of missiles fired by Pyongyang in 2022 to 70 — the highest tally for a single year.
Pyongyang claimed that it had conducted a test-fire of super-large multiple rocket launchers in another KCNA report Sunday.
It reported that on Saturday, "three shells of multiple rocket launchers precisely hit a target island in the East Sea," demonstrating their combat performance.
It added that early Sunday, a long-range artillery sub-unit in the western area of the North Korean People's Army fired one shell towards the East Sea with a super-large multiple rocket launcher.
North Korea leader Kim in a ceremony to present a 600-millimenter rocket launcher to the plenary meeting described it as an "offensive weapon" capable of carrying tactical nuclear warheads that could put the entire South Korea within its range, reported the KCNA.
South tests a solid-fuel rocket from Taean County, South Chungcheong Friday evening. [YONHAP]
The weekend string of North Korean missiles followed the South Korean military's successful test flight of a solid-fueled space launch vehicle on Friday.
Seoul's defense officials acknowledged the test only after it had already been conducted and photos of an unidentified projectile were posted to social media by alarmed residents of southern regions.
The launches have taken place amid the longest-ever plenary session of the 8th Central Committee of the North's Workers' Party, which started on Dec. 26 — the day unmanned aerial vehicles from the North infiltrated South Korean airspace, triggering temporary flight disruptions at Incheon and Gimpo airports and a failed operation by South Korea's military to shoot down the drones.
Although Pyongyang launched what it claimed was a hypersonic missile as early as Jan. 5 last year, a launch on New Year's Day is unprecedented.
BY SARAH KIM, MICHAEL LEE [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]
4. [Full Text] New Year Address to Nation by President Yoon Suk Yeol
"Startup Korea" era. Majority domestic, economic, education, technology, labor, and (in conclusion) freedom focused.
Excerpt:
Our export strategy must differ from the past.
Those countries that share the universal values of freedom, human rights and the rule of law are banding together through their economies and industries. This solidarity based on these universal values is the most strategic choice in the current diplomatic landscape.
I will personally attend to our export strategy while focusing all diplomatic efforts on the economy.
...
Current crises and challenges are asking us to define what kind of a country the Republic of Korea is.
When we have found that something has gone wrong, we have tried to rectify it. When we have headed in the wrong direction, we have tried to stop. When we have taken a fall, we have tried to stand on our own feet. With strong determination, we have pushed for change and innovation.
Those with vested interests are tenacious in their obsessions, and compromising with them seems easy and convenient. But we have never settled for a small sea.
Freedom will provide us with more opportunities, and solidarity will present us with a greater future.
I will never lose sight of the mission our people have entrusted to me, and together with our great people, we will achieve a new takeoff.
In this new year, 2023, let’s venture out into a greater sea where freedom thrives and opportunities abound.
[Full Text] New Year Address to Nation by President Yoon Suk Yeol
world.kbs.co.kr
Politics
Written: 2023-01-01 10:10:10 / Updated: 2023-01-01 13:38:01
Photo : KBS News
My beloved fellow Koreans, compatriots overseas,
The hope-filled New Year 2023 has dawned. I wish everyone a Happy New Year.
Last year, we faced difficulties at home and abroad amid uncertainty in a complex global economic crisis, but we were able to overcome those challenges thanks to our people’s hard work and determination.
Countries around the world have relied on high interest rates to counter runaway raw material prices and inflation caused by global supply chain disruptions.
The possibility of the world economy slipping into a recession this year is higher than ever before.
Since the fallout from the global downturn could slow our real economy, we have to monitor this grave economic situation closely.
We will employ preemptive measures to keep the inevitable interest rate hikes to curb inflation from placing excessive borrowing costs on households and businesses.
Exports are our key to overcoming this complex crisis. They form the basis of our economy and create jobs.
However, with the World Trade Organization being undermined and protectionism escalating, we are seeing the bundling of security, economic and technology cooperation policies.
Our export strategy must differ from the past.
Those countries that share the universal values of freedom, human rights and the rule of law are banding together through their economies and industries. This solidarity based on these universal values is the most strategic choice in the current diplomatic landscape.
I will personally attend to our export strategy while focusing all diplomatic efforts on the economy.
A project to help our businesses receive a total of US$50 billion in overseas orders will be put into operation. Infrastructure construction, nuclear power plants and the defense industry will be fostered as new export engines.
Trade finance will be increased to 360 trillion won, an all-time high. We will mobilize all policy capabilities to expand the reach of the Republic of Korea’s exports to every part of the world.
World history has taught us that – when crises and challenges engulf the global economy – those countries that identify new technologies and industries through innovation are the ones able to create quality jobs and achieve sustainable growth.
We will provide all the support possible, so our future generations – equipped with entrepreneurship – will be able to take on challenges in new technologies and industries and achieve the outcomes desired.
We will usher in the “Startup Korea” era, not only in the IT, bio, defense and nuclear power industries but also in carbon neutrality and entertainment.
Investments in future strategic technology will also be made in a preemptive and bold manner.
Starting with the successful launch of the Nuri space rocket this past June, we have ushered in the era of the space economy, opening up unlimited opportunities for future generations.
Despite the difficult fiscal situation, the Government initiated the era of 30 trillion won in R&D investment.
The competitiveness of our industries will be strengthened further by new future strategic technologies.
We will ensure that not a single means of support is overlooked when securing our country’s dominant positions in such key strategic technologies as aerospace, artificial intelligence and advanced bio-engineering as well as the market for future technology.
Fellow Koreans,
There is no future for a country that is preoccupied with vested interests and rent-seeking.
The Republic of Korea’s future and our future generations’ fate depend upon three major reforms: labor, education and pension. These cannot be delayed any longer.
First of all, we must drive economic growth through labor reforms.
We will do all we can to ensure fairness in labor-management and labor-labor relations as well as improve workplace safety while flexibly adapting the labor market to meet changing demands.
The dual structure of our labor market needs to be improved.
The Government must support companies pushing to transition to a duty-oriented, performance-based pay system in a different manner than it does with those that are preoccupied with a system based on seniority that seeks compromise with well-paid, yet demanding unions.
The starting point for the labor reform is establishing ‘rule of law in labor relations.’
‘Rule of law’ will provide a way to prevent unnecessary labor disputes and conflicts. With rule of law the value of labor will be rightfully respected.
Countries around the world are in life and death struggles to reform education in response to changing technology and the explosive demand for human resources.
Higher education is directly related to our nation’s competitiveness. We will boldly transfer relevant authority to local areas and provide them the support needed, so they can link education to their specific industries.
Without these educational reforms, it will be difficult to accomplish balanced regional development. Moreover, balanced regional development will provide a quick solution for the problem of low birth rates.
Curricula will be diversified, so future generations will be able to receive the types of education they desire, and we will ensure that everyone enjoys equal opportunities.
Pension reform is important as well.
The sustainability of the pension system cannot be guaranteed unless the issue of the snowballing deficit in pension finance is resolved.
Among the countries that have succeeded in pension reform, one thing is common: They reached a decision after considerable research and lengthy discussions conducted to attain a social consensus.
We will submit a legislative proposal on this reform to the National Assembly after conducting scientific research and investigations on pension finance, collecting public opinions and referring the issue to public discussions in a prompt manner.
Fellow Koreans,
Current crises and challenges are asking us to define what kind of a country the Republic of Korea is.
When we have found that something has gone wrong, we have tried to rectify it. When we have headed in the wrong direction, we have tried to stop. When we have taken a fall, we have tried to stand on our own feet. With strong determination, we have pushed for change and innovation.
Those with vested interests are tenacious in their obsessions, and compromising with them seems easy and convenient. But we have never settled for a small sea.
Freedom will provide us with more opportunities, and solidarity will present us with a greater future.
I will never lose sight of the mission our people have entrusted to me, and together with our great people, we will achieve a new takeoff.
In this new year, 2023, let’s venture out into a greater sea where freedom thrives and opportunities abound.
Thank you.
world.kbs.co.kr
5. Test-fire of Super-large Multiple Rocket Launchers Held (north Korea)
Test-fire of Super-large Multiple Rocket Launchers Held
https://kcnawatch.org/newstream/1672544688-955151591/test-fire-of-super-large-multiple-rocket-launchers-held
Date: 01/01/2023 | Source: KCNA.kp (En) | Read original version at source
Pyongyang, January 1 (KCNA) -- The Second Economic Commission in the DPRK conducted on the morning of December 31, 2022, a test-fire of the super-large multiple rocket launchers being presented to the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea to examine their performance.
The three shells of multiple rocket launchers precisely hit a target island in the East Sea of Korea, demonstrating their combat performance.
At dawn of January 1, 2023, a long-range artillery sub-unit in the western area of the Korean People's Army fired one shell towards the East Sea of Korea with a delivered super-large multiple rocket launcher. -0-
www.kcna.kp (Juche112.1.1.)
6. Press Release of 6th Plenary Meeting of 8th C.C., WPK
For those who track nK leadership.
Press Release of 6th Plenary Meeting of 8th C.C., WPK
https://kcnawatch.org/newstream/1672544655-368600145/press-release-of-6th-plenary-meeting-of-8th-c-c-wpk/
Date: 01/01/2023 | Source: KCNA.kp (En) | Read original version at source
Pyongyang, January 1 (KCNA) -- Members and alternate members of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) Central Committee and member and alternate members of the Political Bureau of the C.C., WPK by-elected at the 6th Plenary Meeting of the 8th WPK Central Committee are as follows:
Members of the WPK Central Committee
Jon Sung Guk, Kim Tu Il, Song Yong Gon, Pak Song Chol, Pang Tu Sop, Choe Chol Ung, Pak Myong Son, Ri Yong Sik, Paek Song Guk, Kim Yong Su, Kim Yong Hwan, Ri Ho Rim, Ho Chol Yong, Yu Jin, Sin Ki Chol, Kim Sang Gon and Ri Hye Jong
Alternate members of the C.C., WPK
Kim Yong Sik, Thae Hyong Chol, Kim Chang Sok, Jo Sok Chol, Jong Yong Nam, Ri Song Bom, Kim Phyong Hyon, Won Kyong Mo, Sin Song Guk, An Sung Hak, Ho Chol Ho, Song Myong Hun, Pae Song Guk, Kim Kum Chol, O Chol Su, Choe Son Il, Kim Son Guk, Jang Se Il, Ri Kyong Il, Jon In Chol, Kim Tu Hong, Pak In Gi, Yu Chol U, Kim Song Chol, Choe Tu Yong and Ryang Kil Song
Member of the Political Bureau of the C.C., WPK
Pak Su Il
Alternate members of the Political Bureau of the C.C., WPK
Ju Chang Il, Ri Hi Yong, Kim Su Gil, Kim Sang Gon and Kang Sun Nam
Secretary of the WPK Central Committee elected at the 6th Plenary Meeting of the 8th WPK Central Committee
Ri Yong Gil
Vice-chairman of the WPK Central Military Commission by-elected at the 6th Plenary Meeting of the 8th WPK Central Committee
Ri Yong Gil
Vice-chairman of the WPK Central Inspection Commission by-elected at the 6th Plenary Meeting of the 8th WPK Central Committee
Kim Sang Gon
Department directors and first vice department director of the WPK Central Committee appointed at the 6th Plenary Meeting of the 8th WPK Central Committee
Department directors
O Il Jong, Kim Sang Gon, Kim Yong Su and Ri Hye Jong
First vice department director
Kim Yong Sik
Chief secretaries of provincial Party committees appointed at the 6th Plenary Meeting of the 8th WPK Central Committee
Kim Su Gil, chief secretary of the Pyongyang City Party Committee,
Pak Thae Dok, chief secretary of the South Hwanghae Provincial Party Committee
Paek Song Guk, chief secretary of the Kangwon Provincial Party Committee
Cadres of government organs appointed at the 6th Plenary Meeting of the 8th WPK Central Committee
Minister of Chemical Industry Kim Chol Ha
Minister of Light Industry Kim Chang Sok
Chairman of the Quality Control Commission Jo Sok Chol
Director of the Political Bureau of the Cabinet and concurrently chief secretary of its Party Committee Ri Yong Sik
Commanding officers of the armed forces organs appointed at the 6th Plenary Meeting of the 8th WPK Central Committee
Pak Su Il, chief of the Korean People's Army General Staff
Kang Sun Nam, minister of National Defence of the DPRK
Ri Thae Sop, minister of Public Security. -0-
www.kcna.kp (Juche112.1.1.)
7. Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Makes Reply Speech at Ceremony of Donating 600mm Super-large Multiple Launch Rocket System
I will need to get some analysis from an expert.
This is one of the most hyperbole-laden speeches I have read (and that is saying something because all nK speeches are hyperbolic).
But this is as close to a New Year's speech as we will get this year as Kim has apparently skipped it for the 4th straight year.
Excerpts:
Indeed, I always cannot but feel solemn and respectful to think about the unparalleled patriotism, faithfulness and creativity of our working class in the munitions industry and their heroic struggle for increased production, and extend warm thanks and thanks and make a deep bow to them.
Comrades, have a look at them.
I really feel invigorated.
I feel unwittingly invigorated to see them. I think this is not merely because I am aware of their value and might but because they are permeated with the patriotism and loyalty of our working class who devote their all to our revolution in the severe struggle and in the face of trials and because I am proud that we have made the unique Juche-type weapons by our own wisdom and efforts.
...
Our working class in the munitions industry should surely guarantee this declaration of ours, this staunch will to deal with the enemy, with matchless sword, spear and shield.
All the revolutionary fighters in the munitions industry should harden their indomitable faith and militant spirit with which to carry out unto death the grand strategy of defence development set out by the Party Central Committee, and turn out as one and strive in the efforts to produce powerful Juche-type weapons which will absolutely overwhelm the US imperialist aggressive forces and their puppet army.
Our revolution and the prevailing situation demand that we, by concentrating our efforts on ensuring continuous development of our defence industry, increase the state’s defence capabilities without interruption so as to fully guarantee a reliable and solid security environment for the development of socialism.
But it is this conclusion that we should challenge. 2022 has been a complete failure of Kim's political warfare and blackmail diplomacy strategies but of course he spins it as a success:
The year of 2022 is drawing to a close, an unforgettable year when we have struggled and advanced undauntedly for our revolution, socialism, braving all sorts of trials. At this moment, I extend warm greetings of the new year of 2023 to all of our working class in the munitions industry, defence scientists, officials and their dear families who have provided a distinctive and significant finale to this year through this meaningful donating ceremony.
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Makes Reply Speech at Ceremony of Donating 600mm Super-large Multiple Launch Rocket System
https://kcnawatch.org/newstream/1672562022-493784101/respected-comrade-kim-jong-un-makes-reply-speech-at-ceremony-of-donating-600mm-super-large-multiple-launch-rocket-system/
Date: 01/01/2023 | Source: Rodong Sinmun (En) | Read original version at source
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un made a reply speech at the ceremony of donating 600mm super-large multiple launch rocket system on December 31, Juche 111 (2022).
The full text of the reply speech is as follows:
Comrades attending this event as representatives of the working class in the munitions industry,
Other dear comrades,
We have reviewed our struggle in the arduous year of 2022 and risen up for a fresh struggle in the coming new year. At this moment standing in fine array in the yard of the headquarters of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea for the first time after the founding of this state and our Party are the core means of strike, which our working class in the munitions industry have built through a struggle for increased production of loyalty and which would form the backbone of our armed forces.
They are, indeed, a precious and encouraging donation.
They are powerful in that they will give a fresh strength and courage to the whole country as it greets a new year, will further amplify the historic significance of the plenary meeting of our Party, and will strike another terror and shock into the enemy.
All the working class in the munitions industry and their representatives,
The working class, scientists and officials in the defence industry, with indefatigable and limitless energy and sense of mission, fully displayed the infinite revolutionary zeal and mettle and the thoroughgoing and perfect pattern of creation, which are the original features and a symbol of the working class in the munitions industry. They thus have made an outstanding contribution to the advance and development of our revolution till the last day of the arduous year of 2022. On behalf of the Central Committee of the Party and the government of the Republic and along with the hearts of all the Party members and other people and soldiers of the People’s Army across the country, I extend warm thanks to them.
Indeed, I always cannot but feel solemn and respectful to think about the unparalleled patriotism, faithfulness and creativity of our working class in the munitions industry and their heroic struggle for increased production, and extend warm thanks and thanks and make a deep bow to them.
Comrades, have a look at them.
I really feel invigorated.
I feel unwittingly invigorated to see them. I think this is not merely because I am aware of their value and might but because they are permeated with the patriotism and loyalty of our working class who devote their all to our revolution in the severe struggle and in the face of trials and because I am proud that we have made the unique Juche-type weapons by our own wisdom and efforts.
Having accepted as the demand of the revolution and people, and of their lives, the determination and plan of the Party Central Committee to raise the supremacy of our armed forces on to the highest level without any hesitation and without any letup, the working class in the munitions industry rose up as one with a resolve to build a larger number of 600mm multiple launch rocket system units to be supplied to the People’s Army, and launched a campaign of loyalty in late October.
As was the same case when this kind of weapon, which the world had never imagined, was born three years ago, our working class in the munitions industry, this time, too, performed miraculous feats day after day by displaying a super-powerful spirit.
I have heard that the relevant complex, while stepping up the production for attaining the crucial targets in bringing about a revolution in the defence industry which had been set forth at the Eighth Party Congress, assembled one, even two, gigantic units in addition every two days, in the course of which it created a surprising production record.
As it had done in the past, this factory, in the recent struggle for increased production, too, fully demonstrated its tradition and trait of always supporting the Party and promoting the country’s prosperity with loyalty and practice, thereby giving birth to these proud crystallizations of patriotism and loyalty.
This year the working class in the munitions industry have worked admirably, indeed.
Unlike any of the earlier years, this year was the most arduous period, and our state was faced with the worst-ever challenges in its history. But the defence industry rose up and supplied as many as 5 000 farm machines to our cooperative farms, which was a strong support to the agricultural front. This is quite inspiring, and that is not all.
Many munitions factories and enterprises have waged a tenacious struggle, making undaunted efforts in high spirits with a firm determination to defend the Party and revolution by means of unmatched military capabilities, and thus made a tangible contribution to increasing our state’s defence capabilities incomparably in 2022, a year full of adversities.
I have been immensely grateful to and deeply admiring our working class in the munitions industry for their ardent patriotism and loyalty with which they have worked for the Party and revolution throughout the year. And as we see now, the complex, by working with loyalty and pure conscience up to the last day of the year, has donated to our Party, along with the hearts of all the working class in the munitions industry, 30 units of 600mm super-large multiple launch rocket system, the main weapon of strike that our Party was most desirous of and our army waited for most anxiously.
This represents an eye-opening success that has demonstrated to the whole world the unusual patriotism and loyalty, inexhaustible potentialities and revolutionary fighting mettle of our working class in the munitions industry, who have shouldered full responsibility for the development of the military technology of the armed forces of our Republic.
We should never forget their historic services and painstaking efforts.
Comrades,
Our working class in the munitions industry regard the valuable title, revolutionary industry of the Workers’ Party of Korea, which cannot be bartered for anything, as a source of their exceptional honour and pride. As we see, they are always honourable and faithful to the cause of the Party and revolution.
That we have such a self-supporting defence industry which displays such heroism and possesses characteristic features and absolute strength is something no other country in the world can have or build even though it wants to, and this is a source of pride of prides of our Party.
All of our working class in the munitions industry always accept it as their main duty to relieve our Party of its anxiety and worry, prioritize before anybody else the problems of its concern, even though they number thousands or tens of thousands, support it without any conditions attached and carry them out without yielding. They are true revolutionaries and patriots and model heroes.
Comrades,
That military hardware, which the working class in the munitions industry have donated to the Party and revolution today, has a high capability of overcoming complicated terrain conditions, great manoeuvrability and an ability to conduct a surprise and precision launch of multiple rockets in terms of military technology; and as it has south Korea as a whole within the range of strike and is capable of carrying tactical nuclear warhead, it will discharge in future the combat mission of overpowering the enemy as a core, offensive weapon of our armed forces.
As we can hand additional 30 units of offensive military hardware of great importance over to the People’s Army units at a time thanks to the devoted struggle of the working class in the munitions industry for increased production, I cannot suppress surging excitement and emotion.
Extending warm thanks again to our working class in the munitions industry, I would like to conclude by making an ardent appeal to them.
Our Party and the government of our Republic have declared their resolute will to respond with nuke for nuke and an all-out confrontation for an all-out confrontation in order to deal with the enemy’s rash acts and reckless moves.
Our working class in the munitions industry should surely guarantee this declaration of ours, this staunch will to deal with the enemy, with matchless sword, spear and shield.
All the revolutionary fighters in the munitions industry should harden their indomitable faith and militant spirit with which to carry out unto death the grand strategy of defence development set out by the Party Central Committee, and turn out as one and strive in the efforts to produce powerful Juche-type weapons which will absolutely overwhelm the US imperialist aggressive forces and their puppet army.
Our revolution and the prevailing situation demand that we, by concentrating our efforts on ensuring continuous development of our defence industry, increase the state’s defence capabilities without interruption so as to fully guarantee a reliable and solid security environment for the development of socialism.
As long as we have our laudable and trustworthy working class in the munitions industry, who challenge difficulties and impossibilities on the strength of Juche to bring about transformations and leaps, and the great people, who are rallied around the Party with one mind and one will, our Party’s cause of building a powerful army is sure to succeed.
Full of courageous mettle and due self-assurance, let us all fight with redoubled courage and great confidence to bring earlier even greater victory and glory by launching a more gigantic struggle and working new miracles.
The year of 2022 is drawing to a close, an unforgettable year when we have struggled and advanced undauntedly for our revolution, socialism, braving all sorts of trials. At this moment, I extend warm greetings of the new year of 2023 to all of our working class in the munitions industry, defence scientists, officials and their dear families who have provided a distinctive and significant finale to this year through this meaningful donating ceremony.
Thank you.
8. [Editorial] Defending against missile provocations
"Uncle Sam."
Excerpts:
If Pyongyang wants to mass-produce nuclear weapons as Kim vowed, it needs an astronomical amount of money to operate and maintain them. That will lead to the collapse of its feeble economy. North Koreans’ income reportedly shriveled by 40 percent last year from 2016.
Kim Jong-un has skipped his New Year’s address again, as he could not present economic visions to the people to assuage their deepening pain. North Korea already suffers an unbearable crisis from international sanctions and Covid-19.
As long as the North is bent on ratcheting up tensions through nuclear missile threats, we must have an unflinching determination to protect our security based on reinforcing our joint defense posture with Uncle Sam. South Korea must acquire the ability to neutralize the North’s nuclear and missile bases as soon as possible and conduct methodical military drills on a regular basis. The government also must restore the General Security of Military Information Agreement (Gsomia) with Japan and set up an effective system to share the North’s missile launch information in real time. North Korea must come to the negotiating table before it’s too late.
Sunday
January 1, 2023
dictionary + A - A
[Editorial] Defending against missile provocations
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2023/01/01/opinion/editorials/missiles-nuclear-North-Korea/20230101195041328.html
North Korea has threatened to produce a large quantity of nuclear missiles after firing super-sized multiple rocket launchers to the East Sea. After firing four rockets with a range of 400 kilometers (249 miles) on the last day of 2022 and the first day of the new year, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un described them as “attack weapons that can carry tactical nuclear warheads to target entire parts of South Korea.” The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), a North Korean mouthpiece, said Kim ordered the military to “mass-produce tactical warheads and increase the number of nuclear bombs expoentially” in a full meeting of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party after defining South Korea as a “clear enemy of North Korea.”
Kim’s remarks translate into an instruction to escalate the level of tensions against South Korea from the beginning of the year. The North is expected to carry out its seventh nuclear test to produce tactical nukes and test-fire an advanced ICBM aimed at the United States.
But the North’s nuclear weapons will be of no use. After insisting on the “defensive use of nuclear weapons” for a while, Kim Yo-jong, the sister of the North Korean leader, hinted at the possibility of using nukes on South Korea last April. In September, North Korea even stipulated nuclear armaments on the constitution of the party. But the North cannot use nuclear weapons against South Korea due to the U.S. extended deterrence. If it attempts to take action, it must pay the heavy price of mutually assured destruction.
If Pyongyang wants to mass-produce nuclear weapons as Kim vowed, it needs an astronomical amount of money to operate and maintain them. That will lead to the collapse of its feeble economy. North Koreans’ income reportedly shriveled by 40 percent last year from 2016.
Kim Jong-un has skipped his New Year’s address again, as he could not present economic visions to the people to assuage their deepening pain. North Korea already suffers an unbearable crisis from international sanctions and Covid-19.
As long as the North is bent on ratcheting up tensions through nuclear missile threats, we must have an unflinching determination to protect our security based on reinforcing our joint defense posture with Uncle Sam. South Korea must acquire the ability to neutralize the North’s nuclear and missile bases as soon as possible and conduct methodical military drills on a regular basis. The government also must restore the General Security of Military Information Agreement (Gsomia) with Japan and set up an effective system to share the North’s missile launch information in real time. North Korea must come to the negotiating table before it’s too late.
9. North Korean leader skips New Year message for four straight years
Hard to put lipstick on a pig. You cannot call a year of failure a success.
Excerpts:
Until 2019, the North televised Kim reading his New Year message, but has not done so since 2020. In 2020 and 2022, the North replaced Kim's New Year message with reports on WPK Central Committees. In 2021, the Rodong Sinmun, (the official newspaper of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea) carried Kim's hand-written New Year's card.
North Korean leader skips New Year message for four straight years
The Korea Times · by 2023-01-01 08:34 | North Korea · January 1, 2023
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un speaks during the 6th Enlarged Plenary Meeting of 8th Workers' Party of (North) Korea Central Committee in this photo carried by its official Korean Central News Agency on Sunday. Yonhap
By Nam Hyun-woo
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un did not deliver a New Year's message for the fourth consecutive year, replacing it with a speech at the Workers' Party of North Korea (WPK).
On Sunday, North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) carried the full text of Kim's speech at the "Ceremony of Donating 600mm Super-large Multiple Launch Rocket System," which was held on Saturday.
In the speech, Kim hailed the technological achievements of the missile, and added, "It has South Korea as a whole within the range of strike and is capable of carrying a tactical nuclear warhead."
The KCNA reported Kim's attendance at the 6th Enlarged Plenary Meeting of the 8th WPK Central Committee, where he elaborated on state policies, work plans, budgets and the regime's drive to develop nuclear weapons.
NK leader calls for 'exponential' increase in nuclear arsenal
However, the KCNA and other North Korean state media did not mention a New Year's message by the leader.
Until 2019, the North televised Kim reading his New Year message, but has not done so since 2020. In 2020 and 2022, the North replaced Kim's New Year message with reports on WPK Central Committees. In 2021, the Rodong Sinmun, (the official newspaper of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea) carried Kim's hand-written New Year's card.
Until now, a New Year's message by a North Korean leader has been the key tool for gauging how the reclusive regime will address its domestic policies and overseas strategy, especially on South Korea.
"During the past year, Kim has made many speeches in person, delivering key messages," said Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies. "Thus, it appears that the North is replacing Kim's New Year message with a report on the WPK plenary meeting because of efficiency."
Yang said that a more significant message by Kim can be expected in February, when the North is anticipated to stage a large-scale military parade to celebrate the 60th anniversary of North Korean founder Kim Il-sung's creation of the slogan, "One match for a hundred," on Feb. 6 or Military Foundation Day on Feb. 8.
The Korea Times · by 2023-01-01 08:34 | North Korea · January 1, 2023
10. Yoon calls for ready-to-fight spirit, firm retaliation against N.K. provocations
This must be President Yoon's "supplemental New Year's Address."
Excerpts:
"Our military should certainly punish any enemy provocations with a firm determination not to avoid going to war," he was quoted by his spokesperson, Lee Jae-myoung, as saying at the talks at the underground national crisis management center at the presidential office in Seoul.
"I call on you to bear in mind that our troops' firm mental readiness posture and realistic training can only guarantee strong security," he added.
Yoon also warned that the North may continue to engage in provocations using various means, including asymmetric tools, while striving to advance its nuclear and missile threats.
(LEAD) Yoon calls for ready-to-fight spirit, firm retaliation against N.K. provocations | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by 송상호 · January 1, 2023
(ATTN: UPDATES with more info in paras 7-11)
SEOUL, Jan. 1 (Yonhap) -- President Yoon Suk Yeol ordered military commanders Sunday to punish any North Korean provocations without fail with a "firm determination not to avoid going to war," an official said.
Yoon made the call in virtual talks with Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Kim Seung-kyum and other commanders, as the North's state media reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has called for an "exponential" increase in the country's nuclear arsenal while naming the South "our undoubted enemy."
"Our military should certainly punish any enemy provocations with a firm determination not to avoid going to war," he was quoted by his spokesperson, Lee Jae-myoung, as saying at the talks at the underground national crisis management center at the presidential office in Seoul.
"I call on you to bear in mind that our troops' firm mental readiness posture and realistic training can only guarantee strong security," he added.
Yoon also warned that the North may continue to engage in provocations using various means, including asymmetric tools, while striving to advance its nuclear and missile threats.
Tensions flared anew as the recalcitrant regime fired what it claims to be a super-large caliber multiple rocket launcher on Saturday and Sunday.
Later in the day, Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup presided over an emergency meeting of top military commanders, where he also stressed that the "resolve not to hesitate to fight" can only deter North Korean provocations.
"Should the North commit a direct provocation, we should not hesitate in light of the right to self-defense, and we should sternly and strongly punish it," Lee was quoted as saying.
Lee also warned that the North could carry out surprise provocations, such as drone infiltrations "at any time."
"We should make the North realize that a provocation would be followed by harsh consequences so that it would dare not stage another provocation," he said.
On the same day, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Kim Seung-kyum inspected the Army's first Air Defense Brigade, where he called for a firm readiness posture based on capabilities to respond "overwhelmingly" to any provocations.
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · by 송상호 · January 1, 2023
11. N. Korea distributes propaganda calendars in China
N. Korea distributes propaganda calendars in China
The Korea Times · January 1, 2023
This image shows a 2023 North Korean calendar containing photos of a North Korean military parade featuring an assortment of ballistic missiles and artillery pieces. Yonhap
North Korea has distributed 2023 calendars, including one with photos of a massive military parade, to its citizens and others in China in an apparent move to highlight its military might.
Yonhap News Agency obtained five North Korean calendars in China, which are apparently meant for propaganda purposes, as Pyongyang has recently been doubling down on weapons tests to bolster "self-reliant" defense capabilities.
The calendars have been distributed to North Korean residents, ethnic Koreans and pro-North Korea Chinese in China.
Published by the North's Foreign Languages Publishing House, one calendar included a photo showing a transport vehicle carrying a missile in a military parade apparently designed to underscore progress in the North's weapons development projects.
Another calendar carried photos of key North Korean monuments, such as the Juche (self-reliance) Ideology Tower in Pyongyang, while another contained photos of flowers representing the two late leaders ― current leader Kim Jong-un's grandfather, Kim Il-sung, and his father, Kim Jong-il.
The calendars marked Kim Il-sung's birthday on April 15 as the Day of the Sun and Kim Jong-il's birthday on Feb. 16 as Kwangmyongsong Day. But they made no mention of the current leader's birthday on Jan. 8.
The calendars indicated Nov. 29 ― when the North launched its Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile and declared the completion of its nuclear force in 2017 ― as Aviation Day. In 2021, the North marked the day as both Aviation Day and Rocket Industry Day.
Last year, the North delivered just PDF calendars rather than paper ones due apparently to a shortage of paper and ink amid trade disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. (Yonhap)
North Korea has distributed 2023 calendars, including one with photos of a massive military parade, to its citizens and others in China in an apparent move to highlight its military might. Yonhap
The Korea Times · January 1, 2023
12. Seoul, Tokyo considering sharing radar information on NK missiles in real time: report
A significant and positive development. Another potential step forward to the very necessary integrated missile defense system that both China and north Korea fear.
What Kim Jong Un does not get is that all his provocations are failing to drive wedges among alliances and instead driving countries closer together. Instead of weakening his enemies, Kim is making them stronger as they choose to cooperate.
Seoul, Tokyo considering sharing radar information on NK missiles in real time: report
The Korea Times · January 1, 2023
North Korea fires a new type of the Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from Pyongyang International Airport in this photo released by the North's official Korean Central News Agency, Nov. 18. Yonhap
South Korea and Japan are considering sharing radar information on North Korean missile launches in real time, a Japanese newspaper reported Sunday, as Pyongyang stepped up missile launches in recent months.
Connecting parts of the two countries' radar systems via the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command is under consideration to share such information, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported, citing officials in Seoul and Tokyo.
The move could supplement each other's tracking systems.
South Korea is better positioned than Japan to detect North Korean missiles because it is closer to North Korea while Japan is better than South Korea at tracking missiles landing in waters near Japan or in the Pacific Ocean.
Should the envisioned sharing be realized, it could help Japan learn of North Korean missile launches faster so as to improve the reliability of its interception system and help it issue emergency alerts to residents faster.
Currently, South Korea and Japan share information on North Korean missiles under a military intelligence sharing pact, the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), but the sharing is not in real time.
The Yomiuri said Seoul and Tokyo are considering the real-time sharing of such information because of the growing seriousness of North Korean missile and nuclear threats. It also said the United States is strongly pushing for such sharing.
The move came after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his U.S. and Japanese counterparts, Joe Biden and Fumio Kishida, agreed to share missile warning data in real time to improve each country's ability to detect and assess North Korean missile threats during a three-way meeting in Cambodia in November.
Seoul's defense ministry said that based on the trilateral agreement, it will seek to draw up measures to implement it "in a way that benefits all three countries."
"Should the three countries share missile warning data in real time, we will be able to acquire more accurate information on a North Korean missile's launch point, flight direction and its point of impact, and thus enhance our response posture," a ministry official said on condition of anonymity. (Yonhap)
The Korea Times · January 1, 2023
13. NK replaces party secretary, defense minister in major reshuffle
I await the comments and analysis of the nk leadership experts.
NK replaces party secretary, defense minister in major reshuffle
The Korea Times · by 2023-01-01 08:34 | North Korea · January 1, 2023
This photo, carried by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency on Jan. 1 shows the North holding a plenary meeting of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) the previous day. Yonhap
North Korea has carried out a reshuffle of its top military officials, including the dismissal of Pak Jong-chon, secretary of the ruling party's Central Committee (CC) and vice chairman of the party's Central Military Commission, according to its state media Sunday.
"Pak Jong-chon was dismissed and Ri Yong Gil was elected as secretary of the CC, the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK)," the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported, announcing the results of a key plenary session of the party. Ri is a former defense minister.
North Korea did not provide reasons for the dismissal of Pak, who was promoted to a marshal in the North's military in October last year after becoming a four-star general in 2019.
NK leader calls for 'exponential' increase in nuclear arsenal
Kang Sun-nam was appointed as new defense minister, and Pak Su-il, the social security minister, was named the chief of the Korean People's Army (KPA) General Staff, replacing Ri Thae-sop. Ri was instead appointed the public security minister.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has carried out reshuffles of his senior party and military aides more often in recent years in an apparent bid to elicit their loyalty and tighten his grip on power, South Korean officials and watchers said. (Yonhap)
The Korea Times · by 2023-01-01 08:34 | North Korea · January 1, 2023
14. Report on 6th Enlarged Plenary Meeting of 8th WPK Central Committee
The best we will probably get in lieu of a New year's address
The plenary meeting put the following matters on its agenda items:
1.On review of the implementation of major Party and state policies in 2022 and the work plan for 2023
2.Organizational matter
3.On the fulfillment of the state budget for 2022 and the draft state budget for 2023
4.On strengthening the Party guidance over the revolutionary schools
5.On the five-point line of party building in the new era
The plenary meeting unanimously approved the agenda items.
The emphasis is on reporting process and praise for Kim Jong Un with not a significant amount of substance.
Report on 6th Enlarged Plenary Meeting of 8th WPK Central Committee
https://kcnawatch.org/newstream/1672562022-793592356/report-on-6th-enlarged-plenary-meeting-of-8th-wpk-central-committee/
Date: 01/01/2023 | Source: Rodong Sinmun (En) | Read original version at source
The vigorous development of the sacred Korean revolution pioneered and advancing with the most just mission and far-reaching ideal is firmly guaranteed by the wise guidance of the Workers’ Party of Korea which sets forth scientific path and clear practical strategy at each period and at every stage and leads to thorough and perfect implementation.
Our Party members, working people and service personnel have honorably defended the year 2022 full of all the unprecedented challenges and threats with the indomitable spirit and perseverance peculiar to the great Korean people under the militant banner of the ever-victorious WPK. They are recollecting with great pride and self-confidence the days when they have overcome the most difficult hardships with stubborn wisdom in the gigantic course for a comprehensive development of socialist construction.
In 2022 filled with manifold trials, our Party members, working people and officers and men of the People’s Army have waged a heroic struggle to defend the validity of their cause and their dignity and honor, thus powerfully demonstrating the potentiality of the DPRK, its spirit and the staunch character of the Korean revolution. And through the process of making remarkable and meaningful progress, they came to believe their own strength more firmly, find out the main links of changes more clearly and map out the road of overall development more vividly.
Under the present situation of aspiring after a new advance after successfully overcoming the dangerous and urgent difficulties decisive of the existence of the state, the Korean revolution has persistently faced unavoidable obstacles which can be overcome only by the correct and seasoned leadership of the WPK and the united, powerful and courageous struggle of the Korean people.
The Sixth Enlarged Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee of the WPK was held at the office building of the Party Central Committee, the supreme headquarters of the revolution, from December 26 to 31, Juche 111 (2022) to clarify the positive and scientific policy orientation for dynamically leading the Korean-style socialism to a fresh change and development by thoroughly applying the idea of independence, self-sustenance and self-reliance, the invariable guidelines of the Korean revolution.
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the WPK, was present at the plenary meeting.
When Kim Jong Un appeared at the platform, stormy cheers of "Hurrah!" broke out in the meeting hall.
All the participants extended the highest glory to the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, the great leader of our Party and revolution and the banner of all glories and victories of our state and people, who has confidently led the socialist cause to radical overall development while ushering in a heyday of strengthening the whole Party with his transparent idea of independence and distinguished leadership activities, holding fast to the helm of the Juche revolution.
Present there were members of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee, members and alternate members of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee and members and alternate members of the WPK Central Committee. Officials of the departments of the Party Central Committee and leading officials of ministries, national institutions, provincial level leadership bodies and cities and counties and major industrial establishments were present as observers.
The presidium of the meeting was elected with members of the Political Bureau of the Party Central Committee.
The Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the WPK authorized Kim Jong Un to preside over the meeting.
Kim Jong Un appreciated that the WPK has pushed ahead with socialist construction more dynamically and extensively by further increasing the enthusiasm of the whole Party and all the people for struggle, while overcoming the difficulties and hardship equivalent to the ten-year struggle since the 8th Congress of the WPK. He said it is the most precious experience that the WPK correctly grasped the peculiarities of the internal and external environment of the Korean revolution during this course and confirmed our revolutionary principle, methodology and orientation of advance.
He said that the plenary meeting should serve as an occasion for opening a wide avenue for the development of the state and giving the people greater confidence and optimism by clarifying the path of new leap forward and mapping out the most correct and effective strategy on the basis of the experience, lessons and substantial advance accumulated through the stubborn struggle in 2022.
Stressing the need for the members of the leadership body of the Party Central Committee to display a high sense of responsibility and activeness to this end, he declared the 6th Plenary Meeting of the 8th Party Central Committee open.
The plenary meeting put the following matters on its agenda items:
1.On review of the implementation of major Party and state policies in 2022 and the work plan for 2023
2.Organizational matter
3.On the fulfillment of the state budget for 2022 and the draft state budget for 2023
4.On strengthening the Party guidance over the revolutionary schools
5.On the five-point line of party building in the new era
The plenary meeting unanimously approved the agenda items.
The plenary meeting discussed the first agenda item "On review of the implementation of major Party and state policies in 2022 and the work plan for 2023".
Kim Jong Un made a report on the first agenda item.
In his report he appreciated the successes made in 2022 in which our Party and people have made steady and powerful progress while waging an arduous struggle in firm unity.
The remarkable successes and progress have been made in the activities of our Party and its self-strengthening.
The Party Central Committee directed the general orientation of the Party activities to the thorough implementation of the decisions of the Fourth and Fifth plenary meetings of the Eighth Party Central Committee, and powerfully led the whole Party and all the people to continuous advance and development with its leading and superb leadership practice in the face of the sudden and severe changes in internal and external situation. It also further refined its leadership ability by thoroughly maintaining its leadership traits of responding courageously and promptly, and developed the united might of the revolutionary ranks onto a remarkably high level.
Substantial measures were taken to reinforce the key links in strengthening the Party work throughout the Party and a theory of party building in the new era guaranteeing the eternal future of the Party was established, providing a powerful weapon for the rosy development of the Party.
The settlement of the historic task of making the world clearly recognize the strategic position of the DPRK to provide an eternal security through the official legalization of the DPRK’s policy on its nuclear force at the most appropriate and crucial time--this is a demonstration of the transparent stand of independence and the idea of self-defence of the WPK, which has greater significance than any political event in the view of steering the change of the world political structure and in the view of putting the track of the development of the state on a new high level.
The report analyzed and evaluated the dramatic changes made in developing the defence capabilities and in the struggle against the enemy.
It is the great pride of the Party, the DPRK government and the people to make the DPRK’s great power more certain and build up powerful and matchless military muscle by making a strenuous struggle for bolstering up the defence capabilities.
The basic principle of defending the national interests and raising the national prestige of the WPK was successfully implemented despite the trend of the eventful and changeful international political situation, thus dealing a severe blow at the U.S. imperialists’ high-handed and arbitrary practices and policy toward the DPRK in line with the Party’s strategic plan and resolution.
The report referred to the remarkable progress made in the economic construction and cultural construction in the year 2022.
Splendid successes symbolizing the struggle of the year 2022 have been made in the construction of the Hwasong and Ryonpho areas, which were the most important tasks in the field of construction, and projects of great significance in economic growth and improvement of the people’s living standard were inaugurated.
The drive for implementing the new programme for rural revolution started dynamically, model houses representing the new era of rural development were built in cities and counties across the country and a positive drive was launched to improve economic management and raise the country’s ability to cope with crisis and the country’s level of civilization.
2022 was a time which was by no means meaningless and we have made clear advance, the General Secretary said, adding that certain successes made in all the work of the Party and state are a praiseworthy victory won only by our great people who have displayed the spirit of self-reliance and fortitude and the creativity while stoutly enduring the grave national crises, and the immortal feats to shine long in the history of the country forever.
He extended warm thanks to all the Party members and other people across the country on behalf of the Party Central Committee for having firmly defended and implemented the Party policies with the most powerful and courageous struggle unprecedented in history, thus demonstrating the honor, dignity and prestige of the state before the whole world and glorifying the year 2022 as a year of an important milestone in opening a new surging phase of our revolution.
Saying that 2023, which is to carry out the tasks of the third year of key significance in implementing the five-year plan set forth at the Eighth Congress of the Party and mark the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Fatherland Liberation War and the 75th founding anniversary of the Republic, is an important year in the course of our socialist development and the history of the DPRK, he set it as the general direction of new year’s work to further expand and develop the all-people struggle to open a new phase in socialist construction so as to lay a decisive guarantee for the fulfillment of the five-year plan.
He stressed the need to turn the year 2023 into a year of great turn and change to be remarkably recorded in the course of development of the DPRK by redoubling the fighting spirit displayed in 2022 and making all efforts to attain this year’s goal and fulfill the new long-term tasks.
The General Secretary indicated all the tasks for ensuring stable development of the national economy and bringing about a substantial change in the improvement of the people’s living standard.
The report defined the year 2023, which faces the higher goals and huge tasks for accomplishing the five-year plan for national economic development, as a year of making a big stride in the development of the national economy, a year of attaining key goals in increasing production, carrying out the strategy of readjustment and reinforcement and improving the people’s living standard, and set it as the main task of economic work to mainly complete the plan for readjustment and reinforcement decided by the Party Congress while pepping up production in all sectors and units.
The General Secretary said that the WPK has made strenuous efforts to thoroughly embody the idea of self-sustenance laid down by President Kim Il Sung and eliminate defeatism and mysticism in technology in the whole course of socialist construction since the foundation of the state. He reprimanded that however, the tendency of such old idea still remains among some economic officials as incurable and indigenous diseases with clever disguise.
The plenary meeting dealt a resolute and heavy blow to the outdated idea of trying to bargain the principle of self-reliance, not abandoning dependence on the technology of others, and recognized that it is necessary to continue the struggle to wipe out all the remnants of wrong ideas which are obstructing our work under the pretense of objective circumstances.
The General Secretary ardently and militantly called upon the workers, scientists and technicians of core sectors for the successful development of the national economy to overcome the difficulties of the revolution by their own efforts, holding high the fighting spirit and banner of the 1960s and 70s once again.
The report set as the main targets the economic indices and 12 major goals to be attained by all sectors of the national economy in the new year and specified the ways for attaining them. It stressed the need to focus the operation and guidance on making the implementation of this year’s plan lead to the implementation of the medium- and long-term strategy for economic development.
Setting it as the first major policy task to build more dwelling houses, a revolution that brings about epochal changes and a project greatly favored by the people, the report stressed the need to build a new street composing of 3 700 flats along with the construction of 10 000 flats of the second stage in the Hwasong area by building up the capital city in a bolder way in the third year of the construction of 50 000 flats in Pyongyang City. It also stressed the need to direct greater efforts to the construction of rural dwelling houses on the basis of the experience accumulated in the year 2022.
The report raised it as a policy task to bring about a substantial change in the people’s living which the Party attaches most importance to and is pushing forward with much effort, and detailed the important tasks and ways to which the agricultural sector should give priority.
It called for finding a realistic and rational work system and method and unconditionally carrying them out in light industry, regional industry, public service, fishery, urban management and other sectors directly related to the people’s living so that the policies of the Party and state can reach the people correctly.
The report stressed the need to thoroughly adhere to the Party’s principle of attaching importance to and prioritizing science and technology, clearly understanding the importance of science and technology playing a locomotive role in developing the national economy and improving the people’s living standard, and set forth the orientation of innovation to raise the country’s scientific and technological level to a new higher level.
It dealt with the principles and ways to amplify the successes and experience gained in education, public health and all other fields for developing socialist culture in the course of the struggle of the year 2022 and to overcome deviations.
The General Secretary stressed the need to actively organize and properly lead the socialist patriotic movement and the revolutionary mass movement, the powerful driving force for the prosperity and development of the state.
Noting that priority should be paid to firmly adhering to and inheriting the tradition of loyalty peculiar to the Korean revolution and the tradition of patriotism peculiar to our state, and the revolution should be advanced by dint of loyalty and patriotism, he clarified the principled issues arising in actively organizing and conducting various popular patriotic movements to be conducted by the Party and working people’s organizations.
The report clarified the crucial policy resolution on giving spurs to strengthening the self-defensive capabilities on the basis of the analysis of the present situation of the inter-Korean relations and the external challenges seriously threatening regional peace and security.
The U.S. and other hostile forces have recently been hit hard by the rapid development of the military muscle of the DPRK and the promulgation of the peerless nuclear law in the world. Though seized with fear and uneasiness due to the DPRK’s toughest counteraction, they are now keen on isolating and stifling the DPRK, unprecedented in human history.
In 2022 the U.S. frequently deployed various nuclear strike means in south Korea at the level of constant deployment, increasing the level of military pressure on the DPRK to the maximum. And, at the same time, it is pushing forward the realization of triangular cooperation with Japan and south Korea on a full scale while working hard to establish a new military bloc like Asian version of NATO under the signboard of "tightening alliance".
Under the pretext of coping with any "threat", south Korea is hell-bent on imprudent and dangerous arms buildup while busying itself with hostile military moves to pose a confrontational challenge.
The prevailing situation calls for making redoubled efforts to overwhelmingly beef up the military muscle to thoroughly guarantee the sovereignty, security and fundamental interests of the Republic in response to the worrying military moves by the U.S. and other hostile forces precisely targeting the DPRK.
Stressing the importance of bolstering the nuclear force, the report made clear that our nuclear force considers it as the first mission to deter war and safeguard peace and stability and, however, if it fails to deter, it will carry out the second mission, which will not be for defense.
According to the strategy and plan for bolstering up nuclear force of the Party and the DPRK government to firmly safeguard the Republic’s absolute dignity, sovereignty and right to existence, a task was raised to develop another ICBM system whose main mission is quick nuclear counterstrike.
Now that the south Korean puppet forces who designated the DPRK as their "principal enemy" and openly trumpet about "preparations for war" have assumed our undoubted enemy, it highlights the importance and necessity of a mass-producing of tactical nuclear weapons and calls for an exponential increase of the country’s nuclear arsenal, the report said, clarifying the epochal strategy of the development of nuclear force and national defence for 2023 with this as a main orientation.
The National Aerospace Development Administration will launch the first military satellite of the DPRK at the earliest date possible by pushing ahead with the full preparation for a reconnaissance satellite and its vehicle in progress at the final stage, the report pointed out.
The report raised it as a major task to boost the political and ideological and military and technical strength of the People’s Army, the main force of the national defense capabilities.
In accordance with the army-building orientations put forward at the 8th Party Congress and major Party meetings, it is necessary to make the year 2023 marking the 70th anniversary of the victory in the great Fatherland Liberation War and the 60th anniversary of advancement of the slogan "A-match-for-a-hundred" as a year of strengthening the political and ideological might of the armed forces of the Republic in every way and a year of bringing about a change in making preparations to mobilize for war and enhancing the actual war capacity.
The report highly appreciated the devoted efforts and feats by the workers, scientists and officials in the munitions industrial sector who creditably carried out the major national defense policy-oriented tasks set forth by the Party through the whole year’s super-intense drive for production and scientific research, and laid down next year’s goals of developing and producing weapons and equipment.
The report made clear the main tasks faced by the sectors in charge of affairs with the south and foreign affairs on the basis of the analysis of the external circumstances of the Korean revolution.
As the structure of international relations has been apparently shifted to the "new Cold War" system and a push for multipolarization is further expedited, the report stressed the principles of external work to be thoroughly adhered to by the Party and the DPRK government to raise national prestige, defend national rights and safeguard national interest and to protect regional peace and security.
Notably, the report put forward the detailed orientations of responding to the U.S. and other enemy on shifting to the actual action of more reliably and surely cementing our physical force on the principle of struggle against the enemy - might for might, frontal match - and it sounded a note of warning against those countries which started joining the U.S. with its partnership strategy to deprive the DPRK of its sacred dignity and sovereignty.
The General Secretary in his report raised the important issues arising in solidifying and developing our state and social system and giving play to its advantages and might.
When the socialist legal system has been further improved and strengthened, the original features of our system as the genuine people’s country that the law defends the people and the people observe the law can be preserved, Party policies and state policies can be properly implemented and the purity of the revolutionary ranks and the consolidation of the Korean-style socialism can be defended and maintained.
Raised in the report were the principled issues arising in readjusting the state management structure system in a practical way and in improving the work attitude and style of officials as required by the changing and developing circumstances and the intensified struggle for socialist construction.
The General Secretary indicated important items, orientations of improvement and principled issues for preserving and solidifying the political climate peculiar to the Party and substantially guaranteeing the prospective development of the Party by boosting the combat efficiency of Party organizations at all levels and improving Party work and personnel management in a fundamental manner.
A change should be made in the work of all the Party organizations and officials and, in particular, the provincial Party committees, the political staff of relevant regions and their chief secretaries.
The General Secretary concluded his three-day report, warmly appealing to the leading officials, who are fully responsible for the work of all fields of the revolution and the destiny of Party policies, to make decisive progress in carrying out their duties to live up to the trust and expectations of the Party and the people with their high sense of loyalty and devoted service at the most critical and responsible time in the history of the development of the Republic and thus powerfully demonstrate to the world how the WPK shouldering the destiny of the country and the people overcomes trials and advance towards a greater victory through new year’s struggle.
All the participants expressed full support and approval with a big clap to the report which proudly reviewed the all-people struggle of 2022 that made brilliant achievements in the spirit of fortitude and clearly indicated our advance orientations and keys to making a leap forward under the changing revolutionary situation.
The General Secretary’s passionate report full of confidence in victory that calls for shaping the future of socialist construction in our own way and by our own efforts from A to Z serves as an undying militant banner that makes it possible to further boost the great and inexhaustible strength of single-minded unity between the Party and the people, thus using the absolute power and admirably steering the struggle, dynamically achieve substantial change of development for national prosperity.
The propositions put by Premier of the Cabinet Kim Tok Hun to the measures taken for improving and cementing the overall state affairs including the economic field were heard and leading officials of various fields made speeches and written speeches at the meeting.
Based on the idea and spirit of the important report by the General Secretary, two-day sectional workshops and consultative meetings took place to establishing, in a scientific and detailed way, a thoroughgoing and correct implementation plan for next year’s colossal fighting tasks.
The cadres of the Party and the government guided the sectional workshops and consultative meetings.
The Political Bureau of the Party Central Committee finally deliberated the opinions on the draft decision, examined the deliberation of the draft state budget for the new year and discussed the issue of taking important measures for the development of major sectors of the national economy.
The plenary meeting unanimously adopted the resolution on the first agenda item.
The plenary meeting discussed the organizational matter as the second agenda item.
Members and alternate members of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) Central Committee were recalled and by-elected.
Jon Sung Guk, Kim Tu Il, Song Yong Gon and Pak Song Chol were by-elected as members of the C.C., WPK from alternate members and Pang Tu Sop, Choe Chol Ung, Pak Myong Son, Ri Yong Sik, Paek Song Guk, Kim Yong Su, Kim Yong Hwan, Ri Ho Rim, Ho Chol Yong, Yu Jin, Sin Ki Chol, Kim Sang Gon and Ri Hye Jong as members of the C.C., WPK.
By-elected as alternate members of the C.C., WPK were Kim Yong Sik, Thae Hyong Chol, Kim Chang Sok, Jo Sok Chol, Jong Yong Nam, Ri Song Bom, Kim Phyong Hyon, Won Kyong Mo, Sin Song Guk, An Sung Hak, Ho Chol Ho, Song Myong Hun, Pae Song Guk, Kim Kum Chol, O Chol Su, Choe Son Il, Kim Son Guk, Jang Se Il, Ri Kyong Il, Jon In Chol, Kim Tu Hong, Pak In Gi, Yu Chol U, Kim Song Chol, Choe Tu Yong and Ryang Kil Song.
Recalled and by-elected were members and alternate members of the Political Bureau of the C.C., WPK.
Pak Su Il was by-elected as member of the Political Bureau of the C.C., WPK and Ju Chang Il, Ri Hi Yong, Kim Su Gil, Kim Sang Gon and Kang Sun Nam as alternate members of the Political Bureau of the C.C., WPK.
Dismissed and elected were secretaries of the C.C., WPK.
Pak Jong Chon was dismissed and Ri Yong Gil was elected as secretary of the C.C., WPK.
Recalled and by-elected were vice-chairmen of the WPK Central Military Commission.
Pak Jong Chon was recalled and Ri Yong Gil was by-elected as vice-chairman of the WPK Central Military Commission.
Recalled and by-elected were vice-chairmen of the WPK Central Inspection Commission.
Kim Sang Gon was by-elected as vice-chairman of the WPK Central Inspection Commission.
Dismissed and appointed were department directors and first vice department director of the C.C., WPK.
O Il Jong, Kim Sang Gon, Kim Yong Su and Ri Hye Jong were appointed as department directors of the C.C., WPK, and Kim Yong Sik as first vice department director of the C.C., WPK.
Dismissed and appointed were chief secretaries of provincial Party committees.
Kim Su Gil was appointed as chief secretary of the Pyongyang City Committee of the WPK, Pak Thae Dok as chief secretary of the South Hwanghae Provincial Committee of the WPK and Paek Song Guk as chief secretary of the Kangwon Provincial Committee of the WPK.
Dismissed and appointed were cadres of the government organs.
Kim Chol Ha was appointed as minister of Chemical Industry, Kim Chang Sok as minister of Light Industry, Jo Sok Chol as chairman of the Quality Control Commission and Ri Yong Sik as director of the Political Bureau of the Cabinet and concurrently chief secretary of its Party committee.
Dismissed and appointed were some commanding officers of the armed forces organs.
Pak Su Il was appointed as the chief of the Korean People’s Army General Staff, Kang Sun Nam as minister of National Defence of the DPRK and Ri Thae Sop as minister of Public Security.
In the debate on the third agenda item, the plenary meeting finally deliberated the fulfillment of the state budget for 2022 and the draft state budget for 2023, examined and submitted by the state budget assessment group, and approved to bring them to the 8th Session of the 14th Supreme People’s Assembly.
The plenary meeting discussed the fourth agenda item "On strengthening the Party guidance over the revolutionary schools" and unanimously approved a relevant resolution.
The plenary meeting discussed the fifth agenda item "On the five-point line of party building in the new era".
Kim Jong Un made a report on the fifth agenda item.
It is an important issue for our Party, which has covered a long ruling course of nearly 80 years with its important mission to be responsible for the destiny and future of the Korean people, to provide powerful guidelines for firmly preserving its revolutionary character and nature and remarkably enhancing its leading and vanguard role on the basis of directly facing up to the changes of the times and examining the Party’s reality.
The idea and theory of Party building in the new era, originally advanced by the General Secretary, included the revolutionary essence, content and valuable experience of the building of organization, ideology and leadership art which has been accumulated historically, suggested all urgent problems arising in the practice of Party work and solved them scientifically. So, they won full support and approval of the Party officials and members in a few months after their announcement.
The work was executed to newly frame the theoretical system on the Party building with political, organizational, ideological, disciplinary and work-style building and enrich and regularize their contents.
In particular, the struggle to open up a new era of strengthening the whole Party provided a solid springboard for steadily and stably developing the Party building, including the overall and detailed refinement of the fighting capabilities of the Party organizations at all levels and the intensification of the political awareness and role of the party officials and members.
It is a reliable force and a solid foundation for strengthening the party that the Party has its organizations and millions of its members, who are working hard to establish a sound and clear political climate, rallied close around its Central Committee organizationally and ideologically and in moral obligation, and tens of millions of people have absolutely trusted the Party as the ever-victorious guide and the great mother, following it in one mind.
It is raised as an appropriate and matured issue to define the five-point orientation for party building in the new era as the Party’s line, in accordance with the new requirements of the developing revolution, the continuity of the trend confirmed in the historical course and the scientific and objective confirmation of its feasibility.
Expressing the belief that the WPK would be able to constantly maintain and strengthen its character and nature and discharge its sacred mission and responsibility for the people forever if the five-point orientation based on the theory of Party building in the new era is confirmed as the line of the party building of the WPK, the General Secretary courteously proposed to the plenary meeting to formally define the Party building orientation in the new era in which the will of the whole Party is integrated as the Party’s line.
A resolution on defining the five-point orientation based on the General Secretary’s unique idea and theory of party building as the WPK’s line of party building in the new era was adopted with unanimous applause.
Kim Jong Un made a concluding speech.
Our struggle is an unprecedented great cause of not only enduring the difficulties facing it and maintaining itself but advancing toward new changes and development and the overall development of socialist construction.
In the new year, too, our struggle will face trials and difficulties which are not easy to overcome, but we should vigorously advance towards a new horizon of development of the state with firm confidence in our cause and faith in our own strength.
We will resolutely tide over the challenges and difficulties facing us by our own efforts and accelerate the advance into a new era as planned, decided and scheduled by us, not by any fortunes or help from outside.
The General Secretary declared the plenary meeting closed, expressing firm belief that its decisions would lead to steady implementation and substantial changes and a new heyday of the development of the Party and the revolution would be ushered in forever thanks to the high Party spirit, revolutionary spirit and devotion of all the participants.
All the participants broke into stormy cheers, looking up to the august General Secretary of the WPK who opened up a broad avenue for strengthening the whole Party and achieving national prosperity and has vigorously guided the work with his rare ideological and theoretical wisdom, seasoned art of leadership and tireless devotion, and solemnly took a pledge of invariable loyalty to the revolutionary cause following the Party Central Committee while setting up their minds full of new confidence and will before the ordeals to be faced again for the great state and people.
The Sixth Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee of the WPK, which fully demonstrated the mature leadership ability of our Party confidently leading the socialist cause of Korean style and added fresh courage and vigour to the dynamic advance of our state along the road chosen by itself and to the indomitable fighting spirit of our people, will shine long in the sacred history of the Juche revolution as a significant occasion that made an important turning point peculiar to the victorious path of our revolution.
Political News Team
15. N. Korea’s Kim vows ‘exponential’ increase in nuclear arsenal in new year
N. Korea’s Kim vows ‘exponential’ increase in nuclear arsenal in new year
The Washington Post · by Michelle Ye Hee Lee · January 1, 2023
TOKYO — North Korea began the new year with a ballistic missile test and its leader Kim Jong Un’s resolve for an “exponential increase” in its nuclear weapons arsenal in 2023, as the country barrels forward with its nuclear program while negotiations remain deadlocked for nearly four years.
Capping the Workers’ Party’s policy meeting to discuss goals for 2023, Kim called for his country to “overwhelmingly beef up” its military muscle in the face of threats by South Korea and the United States, state media reported Sunday. Those efforts include a new ICBM for the purpose of delivering a “quick nuclear counterstrike,” and the launch of the country’s first reconnaissance satellite.
Kim’s message indicates that 2023 may look a lot like 2022, with the North Korean leader becoming more resolute about advancing his country’s program, which he views as critical leverage with the world. Last year, North Korea conducted an unprecedented number of ballistic missile tests, and Washington, Seoul and Tokyo have banded closer together with a tougher line toward Pyongyang.
Kim announced in September that there would be “absolutely no denuclearization, no negotiation and no bargaining chip to trade,” regardless of economic sanctions from the international community. North Korea has rejected overtures to resume talks unless Washington reverses what Pyongyang considers “hostile policies” and provides sanctions relief and security guarantees. North Korea vehemently objects to joint military drills by the United States and its allies, as well as the presence of U.S. nuclear-armed bombers and submarines in the region.
Kim’s call for the increase in his nuclear arsenal comes as North Korea appears to shift its decades-long position on Washington, Beijing and Moscow. Both China and Russia have drawn North Korea closer than ever, and the two countries have consistently rejected efforts at the U.N. Security Council to punish North Korea for its ballistic missile tests, which has allowed Kim to aggressively improve its weapons capabilities with near impunity.
In his remarks after the party meeting, Kim noted that the “structure of international relations has been apparently shifted to the “new Cold War’ system and a push for multipolarization is further expedited,” and called on his government “to raise national prestige, defend national rights and safeguard national interest and to protect regional peace and security.”
Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have been on the rise. In a fresh escalation last week, North Korean drones breached the border for the first time in five years and South Korea’s military scrambled to respond with their own warning shots and surveillance assets. One drone flew about an hour’s drive from Seoul, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff.
On Saturday, North Korea fired three short-range ballistic missiles into the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. On Sunday, it fired another such missile. North Korea said it had tested a nuclear-capable “super-large multiple rocket launcher system” on Saturday and Sunday.
Kim said growing threats from the South, such as the joint military drills with the United States, “highlights the importance and necessity of a mass-producing of tactical nuclear weapons,” according to Sunday’s state media report. Kim reiterated that his country is ready to face South Korea’s threats “nuke for nuke.”
The Washington Post · by Michelle Ye Hee Lee · January 1, 2023
De Oppresso Liber,
David Maxwell
Senior Fellow, Foundation for Defense of Democracies
Senior Fellow, Global Peace Foundation
Senior Advisor, Center for Asia Pacific Strategy
Editor, Small Wars Journal
Twitter: @davidmaxwell161
Phone: 202-573-8647
email: david.maxwell161@gmail.com
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