North Korea Announces Major Boost to Nuclear & Military Strength

During site inspections at weapons research centres and a recent military drill, Kim said the policy will focus on concurrently building up both nuclear and conventional armed forces as part of the country’s national defence framework. 

According to the state news agency KCNA, this announcement reinforces North Korea’s long‐standing position that it will never relinquish its nuclear weapons. The country has repeatedly declared its status as a nuclear state “irreversible.”

 

South Korea has repeatedly warned that Russia is increasing its support for Pyongyang, including possible transfers of military technology in exchange for North Korea’s backing in the fight against Ukraine. 

A senior analyst from the Korea Institute for National Unification, Hong Min, told AFP that this reflects Kim Jong Un’s view that there are limits to relying solely on nuclear power and that North Korea aims to enhance its conventional war capabilities through modernisation. 

Hong Min also noted that the military technology cooperation with Russia seems to be expanding into conventional arms sectors, and that North Korea’s plans for modern warfare modernization are likely to feature in its upcoming party meeting’s long‑term agenda.