North Korea to launch three reconnaissance satellites next year, criticizes South Korea, warns of possible war | Reuters

In addition to launching three new reconnaissance satellites in 2024, North Korea has announced plans to produce military drones, strengthen its nuclear and missile forces, and increase its underwater and electronic warfare capabilities. Representative photoshoot in 2022 in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) with South Korea. (Reuters 2023)

[ソウル ３１日 ロイター] – In addition to launching three new reconnaissance satellites in 2024, North Korea has announced plans to produce military drones, strengthen its nuclear and missile forces, and increase its underwater and electronic warfare capabilities. The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported this on the 31st.

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, explained next year’s economic, military and foreign policy policies at the end of the five-day expanded general meeting of the party’s central committee. “It has become a fait accompli that war could break out on the Korean Peninsula at any time due to the enemy’s reckless moves to invade us,” he said. Towards “peace throughout South Korea,” he ordered the military to prepare to respond to any attack, including the use of nuclear bombs if necessary.

Ahead of the US presidential elections in November, North Korea is expected to aim to maintain its influence through continued military pressure. “They might try to see what they can get from the next American administration through provocation,” said Leif-Eric Isaly, a professor at Ewha Womans University in Seoul.

The United States is expanding military exercises with South Korea and deploying nuclear-armed submarines, but Kim Jong Il has said that such weapons deployment cannot be overlooked and that South Korea is seeking access to “military bases advanced and nuclear weapons” of the United States. arsenals.” He said he was completely transformed.

He added: “When considering the enemy’s confrontational military actions, the word war is no longer an abstract concept, but a reality,” adding that the only way to proceed with nuclear development and build deeper relations with countries that they oppose The United States must recognize that no such thing existed.

He further stated that the possibility of unification with South Korea must be excluded and that the policy and direction towards South Korea must be radically changed, accusing South Korea of ​​being a colonized country that is completely dependent on the United States for national defense. and safety.

It also pledged to support the economy in sectors such as metals, chemicals, electricity, machinery and rail transport, as well as modernizing grain plants and increasing production. He cited investment in scientific and technological research in educational institutions as one of the most important policy objectives.

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2023-12-31 06:04:40
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