Kim Jong-un’s Military Modernization Plans: What Does It Mean for North Korea’s Defense Strategy?
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(The CEN News) Reporter Jangho Choi — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un summoned military commanders and ordered them to reinforce frontline units along the Military Demarcation Line and accelerate the modernization of the armed forces.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on the 18th that Kim convened division and brigade commanders from across the armed forces at the Workers’ Party Central Hall the previous day and addressed a series of key military issues.
KCNA said he cited the party’s territorial defense policy to strengthen first-line units guarding the southern border and to transform the border into an impregnable fortress.
Analysts view the remarks as a public declaration of intent to bolster forward units along the Military Demarcation Line adjacent to South Korea.
He also said he plans to make “important decisions” on reorganizing the military structure to better deter war.
KCNA added that Kim outlined plans to boost the military-technical capabilities of key units, including frontline forces.
He said he will implement institutional measures to update the military organizationally and technologically, stressing commanders’ responsibilities and roles in carrying out those measures.
He ordered commanders to urgently redefine operational concepts across all domains to keep pace with the rapid modernization of weapons and equipment, and to accelerate plans to apply those concepts to unit combat training.
“Combat preparedness is the military’s core mission,” he said, directing forces to overhaul the training system and to intensify practical exercises so they reflect changes in modern warfare and the armed force’s development trajectory.
“We are building a powerful military,” he added, saying that if the tasks set for the coming five-year plan are completed, the military’s strategic readiness will be profoundly renewed and deterrence will be significantly enhanced.
He posed for a commemorative photograph with the commanders. Ri Yong-gil, chief of the General Staff, and Park Jong-chon, a defense ministry adviser, accompanied him.
Photo: Yonhap News
(The CEN News) Reporter Jangho Choi chlwkdgh1997@naver.com
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