North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has escalated his belligerent rhetoric, urging military leaders to prepare for war and enhance the country's nuclear capabilities 'without limitations.' This statement was reported by the state news agency KCNA on November 20, 2024, following Kim's remarks to the People's Army leaders, where he cited increasing confrontations from perceived enemies.
Kim criticized the recent security cooperation among South Korea, the United States, and Japan, labeling their trilateral alliance as a threat to peace and stability in the region. He accused the U.S. and the West of using the conflict in Ukraine as a proxy war against Russia to expand their military dominance globally.
In an editorial published by KCNA, Pyongyang reserved the right to take 'retaliatory responses,' asserting that the 'era of trilateral cooperation' represents a dark and bleak future. Analysts suggest that while North Korea remains militarily inferior to the South-U.S. alliance, the regime is cautious not to provoke a large-scale conflict.
Dan Pinkston, an international relations professor at Troy University in Seoul, noted that the supply of ammunition and personnel to Russia makes an inter-Korean conflict unlikely at present. He emphasized that Kim Jong-un is likely using aggressive rhetoric to intimidate South Korea and its democratic allies rather than seeking immediate confrontation.
Despite the heightened tensions, the South Korean public appears largely unfazed by Kim's declarations. Eunkoo Lee, a human rights activist in Seoul, stated, 'We are used to these tensions' and expressed little concern over the North's threats.
Recently, North Korea has also sent thousands of balloons carrying trash across the border, which Lee described as a minor nuisance with limited impact. However, North Korean defectors indicated that balloons sent from South Korea containing humanitarian aid and information have had a significant effect on the North's society.
While many of North Korea's threats are perceived as mere rhetoric, experts warn that the situation could change in the coming years, particularly if military technology from Russia continues to bolster North Korea's capabilities.