Kim Jong Un Orders North Korean Military to Speed Up War Preparations, State Media Says

Kim Jong Un directed a combative task of “accelerating the completion of war preparations” on the second day of the end-of-year plenary meeting.

On the 28th, North Korean state-run media, including the KCNA, reported on the meeting held on the 27th, the second day of the 9th Plenary Meeting of the 8th Workers’ Party. They reported that Kim ordered to “expand and actively utilize the favorable situation and phase achieved through a strong struggle over the past three years” and “made a decisive conclusion about the direction of the struggle for 2024.”

The North Korean media has reported on the critical political and military situation on the Korean Peninsula, describing it as reaching an extreme level due to what is characterized as unprecedented opposition to the republic by the United States and its allies. In response to this analysis, it was noted that combative tasks have been assigned to expedite the completion of war preparations. This directive encompasses several sectors, including the People’s Army, the military industry, the nuclear weapons sector, and the civil defense sector, indicating a comprehensive approach to bolstering the nation’s military readiness.

However, no specific details related to the “combative tasks” presented by Kim were disclosed.

Moreover, Kim clarified the party’s stance on international relations, emphasizing its commitment to an independent principle focused on actively engaging in anti-imperialist joint actions and struggles on a global scale. The report highlighted the party’s intent to expand strategic cooperative relations with countries with an anti-imperialist and independent stance.

This is interpreted as an intention to strengthen cooperative relations with “anti-American countries,” including Russia, with which it has a close relationship amid the new Cold War structure in the international community, such as the war in Ukraine.

The media also reported that Kim “clarified the direction of projects in the external and South Korea-related business sectors.” The principles and plans for North-South and North American relations next year were discussed at the meeting.

Kim defined next year as a “decisive year to secure a clear, practical guarantee for the implementation of the five-year plan” and presented tasks for each field.

Furthermore, Kim highlighted the responsibilities and role of the cabinet, underscoring key tasks to be pursued vigorously in heavy industry sectors such as metallurgy, chemicals, electricity, coal, machinery, light industry, and construction in the coming year. He also specified objectives related to rural housing construction, agricultural production stability, and improving living conditions for residents of Pyongyang. Additionally, he provided directions to expand and develop foreign economic projects, suggesting a potential acceleration of North Korea’s economic opening in the upcoming year.

North Korea usually holds a plenary meeting for 4-6 days at the end of the year to finalize national projects and determine the direction of state affairs for the following year. The policy blueprint for each field, such as military/defense, foreign policy, economy, and society, is reported through North Korean media on the first day of the New Year. This plenary meeting was convened on the 26th.

By. Yujin Jang