Kim reveals plans to boost military

Move an indication he’ll continue weapons displays

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un presented new plans to further bolster his military power next year at a meeting of top political officials, state media reported yesterday, in an indication he’ll continue his provocative run of weapons displays.

Kim’s statement came as animosities with rival South Korea rose sharply this week with the South accusing the North of flying drones across the border for the first time in five years.

This year, North Korea already performed a record number of missile tests in what experts call an attempt to modernise its arsenal and increase its leverage in future dealings with the US.

During the Tuesday session at the ongoing plenary meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party, Kim analysed new security challenges in international politics and on the Korean Peninsula and clarified principles and directions to take in external relations and fights against enemies to protect national interests and sovereignty, according to the official Korean Central News Agency.

Kim “set forth new key goals for bolstering the selfreliant defence capability to be pushed ahead in 2023 under the multilaterally changing situation,” KCNA said, without elaborating.

Motive for speaking

Some observers say the new goals could be related to Kim’s drive to expand his nuclear arsenal and acquire high-tech weapons systems such as multi-warhead missiles, a more agile long-range weapon, a spy satellite and advanced drones.

They say Kim would eventually aim to use his boosted nuclear power to force his rivals to accept the North as a legitimate nuclear state, a status he thinks is essential in getting international sanctions lifted.