North Korea's Kim Orders Military to Accelerate War Preparations
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has instructed the military and munitions industry to speed up war preparations in response to perceived confrontational actions by the United States. Kim also announced plans to expand strategic cooperation with anti-imperialist countries and outlined economic goals for the new year.
Kim Orders War Preparations and Strategic Cooperation
At a recent meeting of North Korea's ruling party, Kim Jong Un called for the acceleration of war preparations by the People's Army, munitions industry, nuclear weapons sector, and civil defense sectors. The decision came in response to what Kim described as unprecedented confrontational moves by the U.S. In addition, Kim announced plans to expand strategic cooperation with countries that adhere to an anti-imperialist ideology.
North Korea has been strengthening its ties with various countries, including Russia, amidst ongoing accusations from the U.S. that Pyongyang is supplying military equipment to Moscow for use in its conflict with Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russia has been providing technical support to help North Korea advance its military capabilities.
Economic Goals for the New Year
During the meeting, Kim also outlined economic goals for the coming year and emphasized the importance of accomplishing the country's five-year development plan. He referred to the new year as a decisive year for economic progress and called for efforts to stabilize agricultural production and push forward key industrial sectors.
North Korea has faced serious food shortages in the past, including a famine in the 1990s. The COVID-19 pandemic further worsened food security due to border closures. Although favorable weather conditions led to an increase in crop output in 2023, it is still insufficient to address the country's chronic food shortages.
Party Meeting and Key Policy Announcements
The 9th plenary meeting of the 8th central committee of the Workers' Party of Korea served as a platform for key policy announcements. During the gathering, North Korea solidified its nuclear policy in its constitution, launched a spy satellite, and test-fired a new intercontinental ballistic missile. The meeting, which involved party and government officials, concluded the year's activities and set the stage for the new year's objectives.
Kim's speech at the party meeting has traditionally been released on New Year's Day. The meeting provides an opportunity for North Korea to communicate its policy direction and priorities to the world.
