North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has made clear his desire to strengthen Pyongyang’s military capabilities. He is focused on increasing and diversifying the nuclear arsenal in reaction to concerns sparked by the recent U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises. During a visit to a naval destroyer, he outlined North Korea’s objectives, including the completion of a third 5,000-tonne Choe Hyon-class destroyer by October next year. These announcements proceed as North Korea tests cruise and anti-air missiles specifically aimed at defeating these types of ships.
Kim Jong Un threatened the ongoing US-South Korea war games that began early this week. He called them “an undisguised manifestation of their desire to unleash war. He even warned that these exercises are indicative of hostile US intentions toward North Korea. This culminated in a desperate appeal to increase their nuclear weapons development program.
Naval Expansion Plans
In his latest speeches, Kim Jong Un has underscored the essential importance of the Choe Hyon-class destroyers. In his view, these vessels will dramatically increase North Korea’s naval hard power asset. The country plans to finish the series production of the third destroyer by October 2024.
North Korea has started testing cruise and anti-air missiles. This decision is intended to enhance the maritime readiness of its maritime surface combatant fleet. The public broadcaster KCNA reported on these plans, indicating that they are part of a broader strategy to modernize the nation’s military assets in response to perceived threats.
The unveiling of these naval developments comes on the heels of Kim’s directive to his scientists for “rapidly expanding” North Korea’s nuclear weapons arsenal. Pyongyang is framing this expansion as direct response to what it characterizes as the increasingly provocative operations of US and ROK forces. They are not taking these challenges lying down.
Ongoing Military Exercises
The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield drills, which began this week, are specifically aimed at countering North Korea’s increasingly robust nuclear capabilities. These exercises will be open for 11 days each. These will include more prominent military exercises with large scale field maneuvers and a strengthened response to any threats that may arise from North Korea.
Seoul and Washington insist that these exercises are strictly defensive, intended to keep the area stable. As North Korea often protests, framing these drills as war preparations and entitling it to its own military reprisals, they are perceived as provocative.
“Through this move, North Korea is demonstrating its refusal to accept denuclearisation and the will to irreversibly upgrade nuclear weapons.” – Hong Min
Implications for Diplomatic Relations
Retreating North Korea’s military ambitions will be at the center of the discussions to come. Now, US President Donald Trump and South Korean President Lee are set to meet later this month in Washington to tackle this key question. Indeed, the anti-American sentiment in the region brought on by North Korea’s nuclear program continues to a central point of U.S.-China tension.
Meanwhile, the US-South Korea military exercises continue. At the same time, Kim Jong Un promises to continue making North Korea’s nuclear arsenal more powerful, highlighting that the region remains as dangerous as ever. Analysts warn that this convergence of factors might further impede diplomatic initiatives focused on denuclearization and forging a lasting peace on the Korean peninsula.
