Kim Jong-un calls for army to 'go all out' and boost North Korea's defence capabilities

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has pledged to boost the country’s defence capabilities at a key meeting with military officials, according to state media.

Officials decide to 'further strengthen the country's war deterrent'

The announcement was made on Thursday 23 June at the end of the three-day Enlarged Meeting of the 8th Central Military Commission (CMC),and was reported by state media on Friday 24 June. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), top officials 'approved an important issue of providing a military guarantee for further strengthening the country’s war deterrent,' as reported by Al Jazeera.

The report made a rare mention of the country altering its war plans, officials at the meeting agreeing to strengthen the operational duties of North Korea’s front-line army units with 'an important military action plan.'

It also said Kim called for his whole army to 'go all out' in carrying out the plans to boost the country’smilitary capabilities and consolidate 'powerful self-defence capabilities for overwhelming any hostile forces and thus reliably protect the dignity of the great country.'

Fears that could mean nuclear weapons

The meeting was closely watched by the West over concerns that North Korea may be preparing to deploy tactical nuclear weapons targeting South Korea on the border. Officials in the United States and South Korea also fear that Pyongyang is planning to launch its first nuclear test in five years. They warn this could occur at 'any time,' as reported by Sky News.

Hong Min, a senior fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification in Seoul, said when North Korea uses the term 'war deterrent,' it’s referring to its nuclear capabilities and the result of the meeting may indicate that Pyongyang has 'added the possible use of tactical nuclear weapons in its new operation plans.'

Read more:

⋙ North Korea reports outbreak of unidentified new illness

⋙ North Korea's reporting of Covid-19 situation 'doesn't make sense', this is why

⋙ North Korea launched a lethal missile in eastern waters, leaving Japan and South Korea worried