North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reiterated his commitment to strengthening the country’s defense capabilities, stressing the urgent need to renew and modernize military equipment to ensure national security. Kim stated that his interactions with the United States have only solidified his belief in Washington’s hostile stance towards North Korea, further cementing his determination to bolster the country’s military forces.
In his speech at the Defense Development – 2024 exhibition opening, Kim said, “We’ve exhausted all avenues for negotiation with the United States. We’ve confirmed not a willingness to coexist, but rather an unwavering stance of power and an inherently aggressive, hostile policy towards our nation, one that shows no signs of changing.”
The remarks appear to underscore a growing frustration with U.S. policies, especially under the leadership of President-elect Donald Trump. Despite building a personal rapport with Kim during their summit meetings, North Korea now sees little hope for renewed dialogue or further summits under the new U.S. administration. Kim has drawn a firm line against such expectations, making it clear that he views the current situation on the Korean Peninsula as a result of Washington’s actions, not any misunderstanding.
Kim emphasized, “The extreme situation on the Korean Peninsula today is not the result of any misunderstanding with the other side,” effectively placing the blame for the deteriorating situation squarely on the United States.
The North Korean leader also outlined the need for ongoing military modernization. He stated, “The current reality constantly reminds us that only the strongest defense capabilities, capable of overwhelming the enemy, are the sole guarantors of peace, stability, and development.”
He stressed that in the face of constant threats to North Korea’s sovereignty, the country must continue to upgrade and modernize its military arsenal. “As long as forces are threatening our sovereignty and our adversaries persist in their malicious activities, we must continually upgrade and modernize our arsenal. This is essential to meet the evolving demands of our national security and to adapt to the changing dynamics of modern battlefields,” he said.
Kim elaborated, “We invite the evolution of our self-defense capabilities without aggressive limitations. This involves adapting to new aspects of modern warfare and countering our adversaries’ increasingly dangerous tactics. We aim to technically modernize our military and equip it with more potent weaponry.”
This emphasis on military innovation and self-reliance underscores North Korea’s growing focus on ensuring its defense capabilities remain strong in the face of global challenges and shifting geopolitical dynamics.