As nuclear weapons remain a contentious issue exacerbating international conflict, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un announced that his country intends to "enhance nuclear war deterrence."
This statement was made during a speech at the conclusion of the eighth congress of the ruling Workers' Party, which began on January 5 and lasted until the 12th of the same month. Kim reaffirmed his commitment to bolster military capabilities and was re-elected as General Secretary of the ruling party, a move interpreted as tightening his grip on power.
Kim Jong Un stated that the homeland requires all efforts to strengthen nuclear war deterrence and develop the strongest military force. He added, "We need to be fully prepared so that our army can perform its duties and roles against any form of threats and unexpected situations, by accelerating efforts to make our military more elite and powerful."
In another part of his address, Kim vowed to launch economic projects focusing on the metal and chemical industries, discussing the new five-year plan for national economic development. He emphasized the need for an "urgent solution" to the economic problems in the country, stressing the importance of "achieving a sharp increase in production capacity for steel and chemical products."
