Kim Points to ‘US nuclear threat’
The North Korean leader emphasized the necessity for his nation to enhance its strategic deterrent capabilities. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un, emphasized the need for the country to enhance its strategic missile capabilities in light of threats from US nuclear weapons.
In recent months, tensions have risen between North and South Korea, which remain technically at war since 1953. In October, Pyongyang accused Seoul of using drones to drop propaganda leaflets in its territory, while the South has consistently claimed that the North is sending balloons filled with trash across the border.
Earlier this year, Kim had suggested moving away from North Korea's long-standing goal of reunification, declaring the South a “principal enemy.”
On Wednesday, the state-run Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim and several senior officials visited strategic missile bases. During this inspection, Kim assessed launch facilities and referred to the rockets as essential to Pyongyang’s deterrent strategy, stressing the necessity of maintaining their modernization.
“The US strategic nuclear means pose an ever-increasing threat to the security environment of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and… warrant the bolstering of [its] deterrent,” Kim stated, as quoted by the KCNA.
He further asserted that North Korea’s missile forces must be capable of delivering a “strategic counterblow to the enemy at any time.”
In a related development, the KCNA reported on Saturday that fragments of what was described as a South Korean military drone had been found on North Korean territory. The article cautioned that any further breaches of North Korean airspace would be seen as “a grave military provocation… and a declaration of war and an immediate retaliatory attack will be launched.”
Last week, state media confirmed that the DPRK military had destroyed 60-meter stretches of roads and rail connections to the South. A representative from the Defense Ministry in Pyongyang stated that “further measures will be taken to turn the blocked southern border into an eternal fortress.”
While Seoul has neither confirmed nor denied the reported UAV flights, it has warned that an attack on the South would result in the “end of its regime.”
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
In recent months, tensions have risen between North and South Korea, which remain technically at war since 1953. In October, Pyongyang accused Seoul of using drones to drop propaganda leaflets in its territory, while the South has consistently claimed that the North is sending balloons filled with trash across the border.
Earlier this year, Kim had suggested moving away from North Korea's long-standing goal of reunification, declaring the South a “principal enemy.”
On Wednesday, the state-run Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim and several senior officials visited strategic missile bases. During this inspection, Kim assessed launch facilities and referred to the rockets as essential to Pyongyang’s deterrent strategy, stressing the necessity of maintaining their modernization.
“The US strategic nuclear means pose an ever-increasing threat to the security environment of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and… warrant the bolstering of [its] deterrent,” Kim stated, as quoted by the KCNA.
He further asserted that North Korea’s missile forces must be capable of delivering a “strategic counterblow to the enemy at any time.”
In a related development, the KCNA reported on Saturday that fragments of what was described as a South Korean military drone had been found on North Korean territory. The article cautioned that any further breaches of North Korean airspace would be seen as “a grave military provocation… and a declaration of war and an immediate retaliatory attack will be launched.”
Last week, state media confirmed that the DPRK military had destroyed 60-meter stretches of roads and rail connections to the South. A representative from the Defense Ministry in Pyongyang stated that “further measures will be taken to turn the blocked southern border into an eternal fortress.”
While Seoul has neither confirmed nor denied the reported UAV flights, it has warned that an attack on the South would result in the “end of its regime.”
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
