North Korea’s Military Advancements—Kim Jong Un’s Vision for ‘Winning Wars’ Revealed

North Korea claimed that its defense sector has reached the desired level of strength this year and will grow even stronger in the future.

Ahead of the year-end plenary meeting of the Workers’ Party, North Korea’s Rodong Sinmun published an article on Sunday titled “Outstanding Leadership That Elevated the Mighty National Power of Juche Korea to a New Level,” evaluating the achievements in the defense sector for 2024.

The newspaper emphasized that maintaining powerful military capabilities is a central national policy that sovereign states must prioritize, regardless of whether they face peaceful or confrontational circumstances.

It further described 2024 as an extraordinary year under the energetic leadership of General Secretary Kim Jong Un, during which the revolutionary armed forces and their invincible combat power evolved and advanced in line with the modern era.

It detailed Kim’s visits to military academies and units, as well as the 4th Conference of Battalion Commanders and Political Instructors of the Korean People’s Army, stressing that a formidable military can only be built when the core competencies of its personnel are thoroughly developed.

Rodong Sinmun pointed out that the first-ever nuclear counterattack simulation drill conducted by the 600mm super-large rocket artillery units, combined artillery firing drills of large People’s Army units, competitive training exercises between tank units, and training by the People’s Army air and ground forces had all significantly strengthened the military’s war capabilities.

The article stressed the urgency of intensifying war preparations: “We must be more resolutely and perfectly prepared not just for potential conflicts, but for wars we must win. This is the iron-clad will of our beloved General Secretary.”

The article highlighted advancements in the munitions sector: “The newly developed tactical ballistic missile weapon system is a powerful and advanced tactical attack weapon unique to our style. The successful test launch of the Hwasong-19, a new ultra-powerful offensive weapon and the final iteration of an intercontinental ballistic missile, is inseparable from the dedication and tireless efforts of General Secretary Kim Jong Un.”