In an address outlining the policy trajectory for the upcoming year during a pivotal gathering of the country's ruling party on Wednesday, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un directed the military, munitions industry, and nuclear weapons sector to expedite preparations for war, citing what he characterized as unprecedented confrontational actions by the United States, as reported by state media on Thursday.
Emphasizing the urgency of the situation, Kim articulated militant tasks for the People's Army, the munitions industry, and sectors involved in nuclear weapons and civil defense, with a specific mandate to intensify war preparations. The official news agency KCNA relayed Kim's commitment to broadening strategic collaboration with countries deemed "anti-imperialist independent."
The geopolitical landscape has witnessed North Korea fostering alliances, including with Russia, amid accusations by Washington of Pyongyang supplying military equipment to Moscow for its conflict with Ukraine, while Russia, in turn, provides technical support to enhance North Korea's military capabilities.
During the same pivotal meeting, Kim outlined economic objectives for the approaching year, labeling it a "decisive year" for achieving the nation's five-year development plan. The report highlighted Kim's clarification of crucial tasks for the upcoming year, emphasizing dynamic progress in key industrial sectors and a call for the stabilization of agricultural production at elevated levels.
Acknowledging the longstanding challenge of food shortages, particularly exacerbated by border closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, the report mentioned a projected increase in North Korea's crop output in 2023 due to favorable weather conditions. However, a Seoul official cautioned that the increased yield remains insufficient to address the nation's chronic food deficiencies.
The 9th plenary meeting of the 8th central committee of the Workers' Party of Korea commenced on Tuesday, marking the conclusion of a year during which North Korea solidified its nuclear policy in its constitution, launched a spy satellite, and test-fired a new intercontinental ballistic missile. This extended assembly of party and government officials traditionally serves as a platform for significant policy pronouncements, with Kim's speech, historically released on New Year's Day, offering insights into the nation's priorities and strategic directions for the upcoming period.
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