First Published Apr 26, 2022, 5:55 PM IST
ENorth Korean dictator Kim Jong Un has vowed to increase North Korea’s nuclear stockpile. Addressing a military parade last Monday, Kim Jong Un said the country would increase its stockpile of nuclear weapons, the BBC reported. Prohibited Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) were also on display at the parade to mark the founding anniversary of the Armed Forces. Last March, North Korea test-fired its largest intercontinental ballistic missile since 2017. This has led to widespread criticism internationally.
The U.S. has imposed a number of sanctions on North Korea following the missile test. There have been reports that the U.S. continent is among the range of North Korean intercontinental ballistic missiles fitted with nuclear warheads.
In addition to hypersonic missiles, the military parade also included ballistic missiles launched from submarines. Although the world condemned the display of missiles attached to the nuclear warhead, Kim Jong Un refused to respond.
“We will continue to take steps to strengthen and develop our country’s nuclear capabilities as quickly as possible,” Kim said while addressing the military.
The official Korean Central News Agency reports that North Korea is ready to deploy nuclear power at any time.
North Korea’s nuclear weapons are basically a defense tool against war. But it could also be used in other ways, Kim said. Kim Jong Un reiterated that he would not hesitate to use nuclear weapons in retaliation if the country was attacked.
The country’s media reported that the weapons on display at the parade included the Hwaseong-17. North Korea says it has test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile in March.
However, South Korean experts have cast doubt on the success of the test launch of the nuclear warhead.
North Korea usually displays its new weapons at its military parade. It often consists of tanks, artillery and long lines of soldiers.
But at this year’s military parade, North Korea displayed several of its missiles for the first time. With this, South Korea and the US are closely monitoring North Korea, the report said.
Satellite images show evidence of a March operation at a nuclear test site in Pyongyang, North Korea. Concerns have been raised that North Korea may resume testing nuclear and long-range missiles.
Former South Korean Prosecutor General Yoon Suk-yeol, who has strongly disagreed with North Korea’s actions, said relations between the two countries have deepened.
Earlier this month, South Korean Defense Minister Suh Wook claimed that South Korea had the capability to attack northern missile launch sites. This provoked North Korea.
In response, Kim Jong Un said he was no longer obligated to abide by the agreements reached at the initiative of Donald Trump in 2020. Meanwhile, Jeo Biden has repeatedly stated that he is ready for talks with North Korea without any preconditions.
But North Korea has shown little interest in another round of talks with the US. Meanwhile, North Korea has called for an end to US sanctions, but the United States has refused to respond. In addition, the US has signed new agreements with Japan and South Korea.
However, the United States has previously announced its support for peace efforts by South Korean President Moon Jae-in.
Kim Jong Un wants the world to lift sanctions on North Korea and recognize North Korea as a legitimate nuclear state. But he also knows that neither of these is likely to happen.
The United States has said it will consider lifting sanctions only if North Korea agrees to give up its nuclear weapons. However, North Korea responded by testing new long-range missiles and testing new nuclear warheads.
Experts in the field say that North Korea still claims to have nuclear weapons in order to prevent further war moves against it. But they are also talking about the recent use of their weapons on the battlefield.
Kim Jong Un vows that no army will survive a confrontation with North Korea. However he acknowledged that their numbers were not enough to defeat Obama’s government.
During the Kovid expansion, North Korea only had some contact with China. Kim claimed that there was no Kovid outbreak in the country and that he had completely excluded North Korea from other countries.