North Korean leader Kim Jong Un urged the country’s military to enhance its capabilities for fighting a war in a recent speech. He emphasized the need to build political and military strength to cope with potential conflicts, particularly in the face of tensions with the United States and its allies. The speech was delivered to a conference of battalion commanders and political instructors in Pyongyang. The North Korean leader called for substantial improvements in combat readiness and efficiency.
The speech comes amid international criticism concerning North Korea’s military cooperation with Russia. Reports suggest that over 10,000 North Korean soldiers are in Russia to support the war in Ukraine. Some have reportedly engaged in combat near the Ukrainian border.
Kim also oversaw a test of attack drones and ordered their mass production. This move was seen as a response to the intensifying global competition in adopting such weapons. President Biden, along with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, condemned North Korea and Russia’s involvement in expanding the conflict in Ukraine.
In response to Russia’s deployment of North Korean ground troops, Biden’s administration has permitted Ukraine to use U.S.-made weapons to strike deep into Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reported casualties among North Korean troops in the conflict, signaling a new phase of instability. The situation highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the region.
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