The rapid advancement of nuclear capabilities is constitutionally guaranteed in North Korea
North Korea Advocates Nuclear Weapons Modernization
Addressing Parliament, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un emphasized the need to boost nuclear weapons modernization to maintain a strategic advantage, according to the state-run KCNA news agency. He also underscored the importance of strengthening alliances with nations opposing the United States and Western hegemony.
Kim denounced the trilateral cooperation between the U.S., South Korea, and Japan, likening it to the "Asian version of NATO."
Last year, North Korea legalized the use of preemptive nuclear strikes for self-defense. This recently adopted law comes a year after the amendment.
Meanwhile, South Korea's President issued a warning to Pyongyang against nuclear weapon usage, as Tuesday saw the first significant military parade in Seoul in a decade. Displays included ballistic missiles, a striking reminder of the ongoing tensions.
North Korea's nuclear weapons program has advanced significantly, with estimates suggesting it has enough fissile material for approximately 90 nuclear weapons and possesses delivery systems capable of targeting the United States and its allies. The nation's strategy revolves around the swift and overwhelming use of nuclear weapons to deter potential threats, mainly from the U.S. and South Korea.
In modernization efforts, North Korea aims to expand its nuclear arsenal and improve its delivery capabilities. U.S. intelligence suggests that the country could possess up to 50 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) by 2035, enhancing its strategic position. These advancements are driven by the need to counter the U.S. and South Korea, given North Korea's conventional military disadvantage.
The U.S., South Korea, and Japan are closely intertwined in this regional conflict. Washington views North Korea's nuclear progress as a significant threat, with the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) reporting North Korea is in its "strongest strategic position in decades." Seoul is concerned about the proliferation of nuclear weapons and the potential for South Korea to follow suit. Japan, being a key U.S. ally in the region, faces potential threats due to North Korea's missile capabilities and could influence the nation's military modernization and defense strategies.
As tensions persist, the risk of conflict remains due to North Korea's emphasis on nuclear deterrence and the potential for a conventional crisis to escalate into a nuclear one. The U.S. is exploring strategies to stabilize the deterrence relationship with North Korea, similar to its approach with Russia and China. However, the outlook remains uncertain as diplomatic efforts and negotiations have yet to yield fruitful results.
- The politics of North Korea's war-and-conflicts continues to dominate general news, as the country's leader Kim Jong Un advocates for nuclear weapons modernization.
- The importance of politics and strengthening alliances, particularly with nations opposing the United States, is highlighted in Kim Jong Un's speech about North Korea's nuclear weapons program and modernization efforts.
