North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has issued directives to his military, ordering them to annihilate the US and South Korea amid heightened tensions. Kim pledged to enhance national defenses for the comprehensive destruction of North Korea’s primary rivals. Media reports suggest an escalation in weapons tests in 2024, anticipating the US presidential election in November.
Last week, Kim outlined plans to launch three military spy satellites, increase nuclear material production, and develop attack drones this year. During a meeting with army officers on Sunday, he emphasized the urgency to strengthen “the treasured sword,” alluding to the country’s nuclear weapons program, citing perceived military threats from the US and hostile forces.
Kim asserted that if faced with military confrontation and provocations, the North Korean army should swiftly employ its most formidable means to “thoroughly annihilate” adversaries. Analysts predict potential small-scale military clashes between North and South Korea along their heavily armed border and anticipate North Korea testing intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the mainland US.
In 2018-19, Kim engaged in three rounds of talks with former US President Donald Trump on North Korea’s nuclear arsenal, but diplomatic efforts collapsed after the US rejected Kim’s limited dismantling offer in exchange for extensive sanctions reduction. Estimates vary regarding North Korea’s nuclear arsenal size, with technological hurdles remaining for the production of functional nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missiles. Shorter-range nuclear-capable missiles, however, pose a threat to South Korea and Japan.