Kim Jong-un has "defined new key objectives for the strengthening of self-defense capability, which will be implemented in 2023", the official North Korean agency KCNA said on Wednesday, December 28, without giving details.
Facing officials of the ruling Workers' Party, the North Korean leader announced new military objectives for next year, and hinted that weapons tests would continue to be carried out.
North Korea's leader is currently chairing a major annual Party meeting in the capital Pyongyang, where he and other top leaders outline their 2023 policy goals in key areas such as diplomacy, security and government. economy.
In his report, Kim Jong-un "analyzed and assessed the difficult new situation that has arisen on the Korean peninsula," KCNA said, in an apparent reference to the recent escalation of tensions between the two Koreas.
He stressed "the direction of the fight against the enemy that our party should adhere to," KCNA added.
Nuclear-powered North Korea has carried out a record series of weapons tests this year, including the firing of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), continuing to defy United Nations sanctions.
>> To consult: Infographic. Cruise, ballistic, intercontinental… Which missiles are we talking about?
On Monday, the South Korean army also announced that it had deployed fighter jets and helicopter gunships after the incursion into its territory of five North Korean drones, one of which had reached the airspace near Seoul. .
Year-end plenary meetings in North Korea usually allow the regime to unveil the country's priorities both domestically and abroad.
Full details of the current event are expected to be announced at the end of this week.
While Kim Jong-un focused on the national economy at the 2021 plenary meeting, analysts widely expect a shift in tone to emphasize the military realm this year.
With AFP
The summary of the
France 24 week invites you to come back to the news that marked the week
I subscribe
Take international news everywhere with you!
Download the France 24 app