김정은 “군사적 대비태세 완벽히” 국방부 "김정은 무력충돌 발언은 체제결속•남남갈등 유발 목적"
Having defined inter-Korean ties as "hostile," North Korean leader Kim Jong-un now has ordered his military officials to be at full readiness.
Our defense correspondent Choi Min-jung reports on a response from the South Korean government as the regime continues to renew its hostility towards the South.
South Korea's defense ministry has strongly condemned North Korea's plans to escalate military provocations in the new year.
This comes as North Korean leader Kim Jong-un ordered commanders to perfect the military's readiness posture on New Year's Eve, saying the Korean Peninsula is "inching closer to the brink of armed conflict."
The remarks were also echoed during the regime's key year-end party meeting.
"We must always be alert to the unusual development of the military situation on the Korean Peninsula, and be prepared to engage in war. As I mentioned recently, if the United States and South Korea ultimately plan on initiating a military confrontation with us, we will not hesitate to turn our nuclear war deterrence into serious action."
While strongly condemning the remarks, Seoul's defense ministry on Tuesday explained that Kim's words are aimed at intensifying internal solidarity.
"North Korea's remarks are largely aimed at strengthening its internal solidarity and provoking conflict in the South. We strongly criticize North Korea's plan to continue engaging in provocative actions prohibited by the UN Security Council, including the enhancement of nuclear weapons, as well as the launching of additional reconnaissance satellites planned for this year."
A unification ministry official assessed that the regime used stronger terms when talking about tensions with South Korea and the U.S., to try and justify its will to strengthen military capabilities and deepen the public's loyalty to the regime.
The same official also said the government will overwhelmingly suppress North Korean threats based on the Seoul-Washington alliance.
Also on New Year's Eve, Kim attended a celebration accompanied by his daughter, Kim Ju-ae.
The North's media once again directed the spotlight on Ju-ae, with Kim Jong-un seen showing affection in public towards his daughter.
Choi Min-jung, Arirang News.
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2024-01-02, 18:00 (KST)
