North Korean leader Kim Jong-un announced on October 8, 2024, plans to accelerate the country's military capabilities, including its nuclear arsenal, during a speech at a defense university named after him. This declaration comes in the wake of heightened tensions with South Korea and the United States.
Kim criticized South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who had warned that any nuclear aggression from Pyongyang would result in the downfall of the North Korean regime. In response, Kim dismissed Yoon's comments as 'tasteless and vulgar' and reiterated that North Korea has no intention of attacking South Korea unless provoked.
The North Korean leader emphasized that any use of force by his adversaries would elicit a strong response, potentially involving nuclear weapons. He stated, 'Our footsteps toward becoming a military superpower and a nuclear power will accelerate.'
Additionally, North Korea's parliament is expected to declare a 'two-state' system, formally rejecting any reconciliation with Seoul and marking a significant shift in policy. This constitutional amendment would symbolize Kim's stance that unification is no longer a goal, effectively designating South Korea as an adversary.
Current relations between North and South Korea remain strained, with North Korea engaging in provocative actions amid stalled diplomatic communications. South Korea has also resumed anti-Pyongyang broadcasts in response to North Korea's recent provocations, including sending balloons filled with waste across the border.
The developments underscore the growing military tensions on the Korean Peninsula, with implications that could affect regional stability and international relations.