North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has pledged to strengthen his country’s military capabilities and deploy additional “strategic assets” in response to what he described as the growing buildup of United States forces in South Korea, state media reported on Sunday.
“In direct proportion to the buildup of US forces in [South] Korea, our strategic interest in the region has also increased, and we have accordingly allocated special assets to key targets of interest,” Kim was quoted as saying by KCNA.
The statement comes ahead of North Korea’s 80th anniversary parade marking the founding of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea, where the regime is expected to unveil new missile systems and military hardware.
Expanding nuclear arsenal
Kim’s comments follow recent intelligence from South Korea’s defence ministry, which reported that Pyongyang has significantly expanded its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and weapons-grade material.
At a military exhibition preceding the parade, Kim warned that his country would “undoubtedly develop additional military measures” to respond to the US presence in the region, calling on North Korea’s defence industry to continue sharpening its “nuclear shield and sword.”
Analysts cited by Yonhap News Agency said the parade could feature the debut of the Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile, alongside other advanced strategic weapons.
Preparations for major parade
South Korean military officials said they had detected movements of vehicles and personnel in the North, suggesting large-scale preparations for the night parade on October 10, expected to draw tens of thousands of participants in Pyongyang.
Satellite imagery reportedly shows activity at key sites associated with missile brigades and equipment staging.
Diplomacy remains stalled
Despite intermittent diplomatic gestures from US President Donald Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, who has adopted a more conciliatory tone than his predecessor, dialogue with Pyongyang remains frozen.
Kim continues to adopt a hardline posture, accusing Washington and Seoul of threatening regional stability through joint military drills and expanded US troop deployments.
Tightening ties with Moscow and Beijing
North Korea has also moved closer to Russia and China.
Kim recently travelled to Beijing to attend a World War II commemoration parade alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, underscoring the alignment of the three countries amid their shared standoff with the West.
The latest news in your social feeds
Subscribe to our social media platforms to stay tuned