North Korean leader Kim Jong Un stated that “the United States will remain a hostile nation that our descendants will continue to confront.”
During his speech at yesterday’s handover ceremony for the new tactical ballistic missile launcher in Pyongyang, he emphasized, “The U.S. we face is not just a government that will come and go in a few years,” according to the Korean Central News Agency.
Amid Donald Trump’s hints at a potential resumption of U.S.-North Korea dialogue, if he is reelected, North Korea has reiterated its commitment to strengthening its nuclear and missile capabilities, regardless of the U.S. administration in power. Kim emphasized, “Whether we engage in dialogue or confrontation, maintaining strong military power is both the duty and right of a sovereign state.” He also warned that if the U.S. threatens regional security, “we will make it clear that they have brought serious consequences to their own security.”
On that day, Kim remarked that the “U.S.-led alliance has transformed into a military bloc based on nuclear power,” using this as a justification for strengthening military capabilities. He pledged to enhance nuclear capabilities during this event as well.
Kim stated that they would promptly establish a more complete and advanced level of nuclear capability to deter any nuclear threat and defend themselves from it. He added that their strength would continuously evolve, and their dominance would forever defy limits.
Kim also announced that they had delivered 250 missile launchers to the frontline units, asserting that this move had given them the initiative with overwhelming offensive and strike power. He explained that they had diversified their firepower mission space and enhanced the effectiveness of tactical nuclear capabilities in practical terms.
Photos released by the Korean Central News Agency suggest that the delivered weapon system is the launcher of the Hwasong-11 Ra close-range ballistic missile (CRBM). This launcher is expected to be deployed near the military demarcation line with South Korea.
Analysts interpret Kim’s actions that day as an attempt to stabilize public sentiment amid the turmoil caused by recent flood damage. While inspecting the launchers, he remarked, “Even while the entire nation is struggling for flood recovery, holding the ceremony for the handover of the new weapon system demonstrates our party’s unwavering commitment to strengthening national defense under any circumstances.”
Photos released by the media show that many party, government, and military officials attended the evening ceremony. Kim’s daughter, Ju Ae, appeared for the first time in North Korean media in three months after attending the Pyongyang Jonwi Street completion ceremony on May 14.
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