To "maintain the absolute superiority" of North Korea's armed forces, the country must be able to "contain and preemptively thwart all dangerous attempts and threats...if necessary", North Korean leader Kim said. Jong-un to senior officers, according to remarks reported on Saturday April 30 by the official KCNA news agency. 

Pyongyang must continue to develop its arsenal in order to have an "overwhelming military force that no power in the world can provoke", said Kim Jong-un.

It is the "lifeline guaranteeing the security of our country", according to him. 

During an imposing military parade on April 25, he said he could resort to nuclear weapons if the "fundamental interests" of North Korea were threatened.

Kim Jong-un reiterated these remarks during a meeting with senior officers whose work he wanted to salute during the April 25 military parade, organized as part of the 90th anniversary of the People's Revolutionary Army. from Korea. 

On this occasion, the most powerful intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) were presented.

Despite severe international sanctions, North Korea continues to modernize its army.

Stalled negotiations

Since the start of the year, Pyongyang has carried out more than a dozen test launches, including launching a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) for the first time since 2017.  

The country continues to ignore Washington's proposals to resume negotiations.

The North Korean leader's remarks could be aimed at South Korea's new president-elect, conservative Yoon Suk-yeol, who will take office on May 10, analysts say.

The South Korean president has promised to take a tougher line in the face of provocations from the North.

Analysts say Kim Jong-un's warnings show he is not open to dialogue with Seoul's new government.

"Mr. Kim's remarks demonstrate that he does not want to engage with Mr. Yoon's new administration or reinitiate denuclearization talks with the United States," said Leif-Eric Easley, professor of international studies at the University. Ewha University in Seoul. 

With AFP

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