Kim Jong-Un Announces Plans to Launch More Military Spy Satellites, Build More Nuclear Weapons
In a recent ruling Workers’ Party meeting, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un announced that his country plans to launch three additional military spy satellites, build more nuclear weapons, and introduce modern unmanned combat equipment in 2024. The move comes as a response to what Kim called “unprecedented” confrontational moves by the United States and its allies, pushing the Korean Peninsula to the brink of a nuclear war.
This announcement serves as an indication that North Korea will continue its run of weapons tests to increase its leverage in future diplomacy, particularly ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential elections. Observers suggest that Kim could eventually offer to halt North Korea’s testing activities and take other limited denuclearization steps in exchange for sanctions relief.
During the five-day meeting that concluded on Saturday, Kim emphasized the need to accelerate works to acquire overwhelming war response capabilities and thorough military readiness to suppress any types of provocations by the enemies. He ordered authorities to proceed with the manufacturing of more nuclear weapons and the development of various types of modern unmanned combat equipment, such as armed drones and powerful electronic warfare devices.
North Korea has been focusing on modernizing its nuclear and missile arsenals since its nuclear diplomacy with then-President Donald Trump broke down in 2019. The U.S. and South Korea have responded to North Korea’s actions by expanding their military exercises and deploying strategic assets, such as bombers and aircraft carriers.
Amid deepening confrontations with the U.S. and its partners, North Korea has sought to beef up its cooperation with Russia and China, with reports indicating that Russia may have provided support for North Korea’s spy satellite launch in November.
The developments raise concerns about the escalation of tensions in the region and highlight the complex geopolitical dynamics at play. As Kim continues to advance his country’s military capabilities, the international community faces the challenge of navigating diplomatic relations with North Korea amid a backdrop of heightened security concerns.