The leader of North Korea, Kim Jong Un, has urged to boost the development of the North Korean Navy with the aim of transforming it into a “nuclear armed force” capable of deterring “enemy aggressive fleets.” His words came during a military ceremony in which he reintroduced to this branch of the Army the destroyer Kang Kon, which suffered an accident at the Chongjin shipyard during the launching phase.
“We must ensure that the diversified and effective operation of nuclear combat systems for a real war is carried out through the development of our Navy as a nuclear armed force, and that military activities for maritime defense and war deterrence are carried out with greater clarity,” the leader pointed out, insisting on the need for his naval forces to contain “the enemy aggressive fleets,” until achieving that “they strategically withdraw.”
According to the state agency KCNA, the commissioning ceremony of the Kang Kon has been presented as a key step in the modernization of the country’s Navy. In his speech, Kim Jong Un asserted that the only way to safeguard peace is to maintain a balance of power, emphasizing Pyongyang’s determination to continue strengthening its military capability.
A few days ago, Kim himself ruled out any real progress towards the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, attributing it to the “hostile” attitude of the United States, which he described as “persistent” and coming from a country “increasingly dangerous.” In the same vein, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs defended that the nuclear arsenal serves to “guarantee containment” in the face of the “serious situation” the country faces, which, he claimed, assumes “more risks” against U.S. policies, despite the attempts at rapprochement by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.
USA, Japan, and South Korea conduct new joint maneuvers
The words from Pyongyang coincide with the start this Monday of joint military maneuvers by the United States, Japan, and South Korea, scheduled to last for five days.
The exercise has begun in international waters located east and south of the South Korean island of Jeju, according to a statement from the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) of South Korea reported by the official agency Yonhap.
The JCS rear admiral, Kim Ji Hoon, has explained that the “main” purpose of these trainings is to “reinforce deterrence and response capabilities against nuclear and missile threats from North Korea,” in an appearance before the media at the U.S. airbase in Yokota, near Tokyo.
These maneuvers, which are being held for the fourth time since June 2024, continue despite President Donald Trump ordering last month to reduce joint exercises with Seoul as a gesture towards the North Korean leader, with whom he has assured to maintain a very positive relationship.