Experts: Want influence • Kim Jong Un: Nuclear forces must be ready for battle
To meet the threat from North Korea, the US and South Korea signed a cooperation agreement earlier this year. The agreement with the United States is based on South Korean weapons being able to be integrated with American nuclear weapons, in order to deal with the nuclear threat from North Korea.
Despite the fact that both countries have repeated several times that they have no intention of attacking North Korea, Kim Jong Un has chosen to interpret it that way.
North Korea: Reckless US expansion
On Monday, Kim Jong Un gave a speech in which he said that the country is facing a “serious threat”, which he said was a “reckless expansion” from the United States, reports AP citing the state-controlled North Korean news agency KCNA.
From the North Korean side, it is believed that the development means that the country must develop its military capability. Since 2022, the country has carried out more and more weapons tests, this in order to be able to develop its capabilities to attack the USA and South Korea. The response from the US and South Korea has come in the form of more military exercises.
The nuclear forces must be ready for combat
In his speech below, Kim Jong Un announced that it intends to redouble its efforts to make nuclear forces ready for battle against the United States and its allies, AP reports.
“Korea will redouble its efforts and measures so that all armed forces, including the nuclear force, are fully ready for battle,” Kim Jong Un said, according to state news agency KCNA.
North Korea has also presented a new program to be able to launch intercontinental ballistic missiles that will reach the United States. The goal is also to increase the number of nuclear weaponsreports Reuters.
According to the AP news agency, many analysts do not believe that North Korea has the capacity to build nuclear weapons capable of reaching the US mainland – yet. However, there may be only a few final technological barriers left before the country has nuclear weapons capable of striking the US mainland.
Experts: Can do tests before the US election
However, several experts believe that North Korea will carry out several weapons tests, described as provocative, ahead of the US presidential election in November.
According to South Korean government sources and experts, the tests would be carried out to increase leverage in future diplomatic relations with the United States. A greater nuclear weapons capability could prompt the US to drop some sanctions against the country.
At the same time, the campaign with sharp balloons sent against South Korea has continued. Earlier this year, a large number of balloons carrying debris were sent across the border, North Korea said in response to South Korean leaflet campaigns.