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Kim Jong Un orders 'exponential' expansion of North Korea's nuclear arsenal

  

Category:  News & Politics

Via:  perrie-halpern  •  last year  •  30 comments

By:   Associated Press By The Associated Press

Kim Jong Un orders 'exponential' expansion of North Korea's nuclear arsenal
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered the "exponential" expansion of his country's nuclear arsenal.

S E E D E D   C O N T E N T



North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered the "exponential" expansion of his country's nuclear arsenal, the development of a more powerful intercontinental ballistic missile and the launch of its first spy satellite, state media reported Sunday, after he entered 2023 with another weapons firing following a record number of testing activities last year.

Kim's moves are in line with the broad direction of his nuclear weapons development program as he has repeatedly vowed to boost both the quality and quantity of his arsenal to cope with what he calls U.S. hostility.

Some experts say Kim's push to produce more nukes and new weapons systems reflects his hopes to solidify his future negotiating power as he heads into prolonged tensions with the U.S. and its allies.

"They are now keen on isolating and stifling (North Korea), unprecedented in human history," Kim said at a recently ended ruling party meeting, according to the official Korean Central News Agency. "The prevailing situation calls for making redoubled efforts to overwhelmingly beef up the military muscle."

Kim at a meeting in Pyongyang in the last week of the year in a photo released Sunday. STR / AFP - Getty Images

Kim accused South Korea of being "hell-bent on imprudent and dangerous arms build-up" and openly trumpeting its preparations for war with North Korea. That, Kim said, highlights the need to mass-produce battlefield tactical nuclear weapons and push for "an exponential increase of the country's nuclear arsenal," KCNA said.

Kim also set forth a task to develop another ICBM system "whose main mission is quick nuclear counterstrike," KCNA said. It said Kim accused the United States of frequently deploying nuclear strike means in South Korea and pushing to establish a NATO-like regional military bloc.

Kim said North Korea will also launch its first military reconnaissance satellite "at the earliest date possible," saying related preparations are in their final stages.

Tactical nuclear weapons and a military reconnaissance satellite are among Kim's long wish list of new weaponry. Other weapons he wants include a multi-warhead missile, a more agile solid-fueled ICBM, an underwater-launched nuclear missile and a hypersonic weapon.

"Kim's comments from the party meeting reads like an ambitious — but perhaps achievable — new year's resolution list," said Soo Kim, a security analyst at the California-based Rand Corp. "It's ambitious in that Kim consciously chose to spell out what he hopes to accomplish as we head into 2023, but it also suggests a dose of confidence on Kim's part."

People at a fireworks show during New Year's celebrations on Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang early Sunday. Kim Won Jin / AFP - Getty Images

Last month, North Korea claimed to have performed key tests needed for the development of a new strategic weapon, a likely reference to a solid-fueled ICBM, and a spy satellite.

Kim's identification of South Korea as an enemy and the mentioning of hostile U.S. and South Korean policies is "a reliable pretext for the regime to produce more missiles and weapons to solidify Kim's negotiating position and concretize North Korea's status as a nuclear weapons power," Soo Kim said.

Some observers say North Korea wants to become a legitimate nuclear power state as a way to win the lifting of U.N. and other international sanctions and force the end of the regular U.S.-South Korean military drills that the North views as an invasion rehearsal.

"It was during his 2018 New Year's speech that (Kim) first ordered the mass production of warheads and ballistic missiles, and he's doubling down on that quantitative expansion goal in the coming year," said Ankit Panda, an expert with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Panda said the reference to a new ICBM appears to concern a solid-propellant system, saying that "We should expect to see larger, solid propellant missiles tested soon."

Panda said the satellite launch should take place in April. North Korea typically marks April 15, the birth anniversary of Kim's late father and state founder, Kim Il Sung, with great fanfare and state-organized celebrations.

Outside worries about North Korea's nuclear program have grown since the North last year approved a new law that authorized the preemptive use of nuclear weapons in a broad range of situations and openly threatened to use its nuclear weapons first.

During his speech at the party meeting, Kim reiterated that threat.

"(Kim's report) made clear that our nuclear force considers it as the first mission to deter war and safeguard peace and stability. However, if it fails to deter, it will carry out the second mission, which will not be for defense," KCNA said.

The North's increasing nuclear threats have prompted the United States and South Korea to expand their military exercises and strengthen a trilateral security cooperation involving Japan. The U.S. military has warned any nuclear attack by North Korea against the United States or its allies and partners "will result in the end of that regime."

Earlier Sunday, South Korea's military detected the missile launch from the North's capital region. The Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement the missile traveled about 400 kilometers (250 miles) before falling into the water between the Korean Peninsula and Japan.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff called the launch "a grave provocation" that hurts peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and around the world. It said South Korea maintains a readiness to overwhelmingly deal with any provocations.

The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement that the U.S. commitments to defend South Korea and Japan "remain ironclad."

People bow to pay tribute to the statues of President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il on Mansu Hill in Pyongyang on Sunday.Kim Won Jin / AFP - Getty Images

North Korea test-fired more than 70 missiles last year, including the three short-range ballistic missiles detected by South Korea on Saturday. The North's testing spree indicates the country is likely emboldened by its advancing nuclear program, though whether the country has functioning nuclear missiles remains a source of outside debate.

North Korea's state media confirmed Sunday that the country conducted the test-firings of its super-large multiple rocket launcher to test the weapon's capability. KCNA said three shells fired from the launcher on Saturday accurately hit an island target off the country's eastern coast. It said North Korea fired another shell from the launcher toward its eastern waters Sunday.

Kim Jong Un said the rocket launcher puts all of South Korea within striking distance and is capable of carrying a tactical nuclear warhead, according to KCNA.

Outside experts categorize weapons fired from the launcher as ballistic missiles because of their trajectories, ranges and other characteristics.

"Its recent missile launches were not technically impressive. Instead, the high volume of tests at unusual times and from various locations demonstrate that North Korea could launch different types of attack, anytime, and from many directions," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul.

Animosities between the rival Koreas have further deepened since early last week, when South Korea accused North Korea of flying drones across the countries' heavily fortified border for the first time in five years and responded by sending its own drones toward the North.


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Greg Jones
Professor Participates
1  Greg Jones    last year

A well placed EMP demonstration might catch Kim's attention and get him to think things over.

 
 
 
Ed-NavDoc
Professor Quiet
1.1  Ed-NavDoc  replied to  Greg Jones @1    last year

That would be interesting.

 
 
 
Ozzwald
Professor Quiet
1.2  Ozzwald  replied to  Greg Jones @1    last year
A well placed EMP demonstration might catch Kim's attention and get him to think things over.

Are you promoting war with North Korea and it's allies? 

An EMP "demonstration" would surely be considered an act of war by Kim.  I'm sure Putin would be all in favor of us doing something like that.

 
 
 
Greg Jones
Professor Participates
2  Greg Jones    last year

Calm down ozzy. I see you can't recognize sarcasm.

It would certainly quiet his bellicose saber rattling while the bastard freezes to death in the dark

Read "One Second After" and it's sequels for more information

 
 
 
Ozzwald
Professor Quiet
2.1  Ozzwald  replied to  Greg Jones @2    last year
I see you can't recognize sarcasm.

Oh I recognize sarcasm all right.  Nothing in your 1 sentence statement indicates it as such.

 
 
 
al Jizzerror
Masters Expert
3  al Jizzerror    last year

WTF?

Why is The Donald's ugly fucking girlfriend being such a bitch?

Maybe we should give Trump a North Korean vacation so he can spend some quality time with Kimmy.

512

 
 
 
Ronin2
Professor Quiet
3.1  Ronin2  replied to  al Jizzerror @3    last year

Kim Jong-un is busy making Brandon his bitch. 

Seems you lost track of who is in the WH.

 
 
 
al Jizzerror
Masters Expert
3.1.1  al Jizzerror  replied to  Ronin2 @3.1    last year
Kim Jong-un is busy making Brandon his bitch. 

Seems you forgot who claimed to love his Kimmy.

I think Kim made Trump "his bitch".

I don't think Kim can seduce Biden.

 
 
 
George
Sophomore Expert
3.1.2  George  replied to  al Jizzerror @3.1.1    last year
I don't think Kim can seduce Biden.

That's because pedophiles aren't normally interested in adults. Kim it too old.

 
 
 
al Jizzerror
Masters Expert
3.1.3  al Jizzerror  replied to  George @3.1.2    last year
pedophiles

FUCK OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 
 
 
George
Sophomore Expert
3.1.4  George  replied to  al Jizzerror @3.1.3    last year

I feel the same way about pedophiles like Biden, and his own daughter? that's just sick!

 
 
 
devangelical
Professor Principal
3.1.5  devangelical  replied to  al Jizzerror @3.1.1    last year
I don't think Kim can seduce Biden.

like his last boyfriend, kim usually starts off with love letters, and owing him a lot of money wouldn't hurt...

 
 
 
Tessylo
Professor Principal
3.1.6  Tessylo  replied to  Ronin2 @3.1    last year

LOL!

Since when?

It appears you and all your buddies are trumpturd's little bitches

Kim is in love and vice versa with #45 both pig turds

 
 
 
Tessylo
Professor Principal
3.1.7  Tessylo  replied to  George @3.1.2    last year

No, he has no interest in straight men like President Biden.  He loves impotent turds like trumpturd and his equally impotent turd enablers/supporters/dupes

 
 
 
George
Sophomore Expert
3.1.8  George  replied to  Tessylo @3.1.7    last year
interest in straight men like President Biden

Biden isn't gay, just a pedophile, he likes underage girls. Maybe you have him confused with Pete Buttigieg?

 
 
 
Tessylo
Professor Principal
3.1.9  Tessylo  replied to  George @3.1.8    last year

you are the one who is confused

 
 
 
Tessylo
Professor Principal
3.1.10  Tessylo  replied to  George @3.1.8    last year

trump is the pedophile, not Biden

 
 
 
al Jizzerror
Masters Expert
3.1.11  al Jizzerror  replied to  George @3.1.4    last year
I feel the same way about pedophiles like Biden, and his own daughter? that's just sick!

That's total fucking bullshit.

 
 
 
al Jizzerror
Masters Expert
3.1.12  al Jizzerror  replied to  George @3.1.8    last year
he likes underage girls.

Trump trolling for girls with his close friend Jeffrey Epstein

 
 
 
Ronin2
Professor Quiet
3.1.13  Ronin2  replied to  al Jizzerror @3.1.1    last year

So Kim isn't expanding his nuclear arsenal under Brandon's watch?

Brandon is everyone's bitch. Kim's, Xi's, Putin's, Zelensky's, Al Saud, the Taliban, and all of NATO.

There isn't anyone Brandon isn't willing to sell out the US for. First it was giving Hunter a plush job and pay for meetings with Brandon; now it is buy Hunter's shitty artwork. Of course that is for our enemies. For our allies all they have to do is hold out their hand and demand; and Brandon will fork over as much US tax payer assistance and military aide as needed.

 
 
 
al Jizzerror
Masters Expert
3.1.14  al Jizzerror  replied to  Ronin2 @3.1.13    last year
Hunter's shitty artwork.

Fuck that shit.

You can by The Donald's fake trading cards for only $99 each.

512

 
 
 
Texan1211
Professor Principal
3.1.15  Texan1211  replied to  al Jizzerror @3.1.14    last year
Fuck that shit. You can by The Donald's fake trading cards for only $99 each.

Well, that is one hell of a bargain compared to the hundreds of thousands of dollars some jackasses have paid for "Hunter Biden's 'artwork'", er, WH access.

 
 
 
Jeremy Retired in NC
Professor Expert
3.2  Jeremy Retired in NC  replied to  al Jizzerror @3    last year

OH LOOK!!!!!  Another mindless "but Trruuummmmppppp!!!" distraction comment.  

 
 
 
George
Sophomore Expert
3.2.1  George  replied to  Jeremy Retired in NC @3.2    last year

It would be funny if it wasn’t so pathetic.

Maxwell was convicted a year ago, who is Merrick Garland protecting? It sure isn’t going to be republicans! It appears democrats love their organizations, the klan and nambla.

 
 
 
Jeremy Retired in NC
Professor Expert
3.2.2  Jeremy Retired in NC  replied to  George @3.2.1    last year
It would be funny if it wasn’t so pathetic.

It's almost expected.  I guess that's what happens when you have an infatuation with somebody.  You have to work them into EVERYTHING regardless if it's related or not.

who is Merrick Garland protecting? 

Garland is fitting for the Biden Administration.  So far they've proven themselves incompetent.  Why should the AG be any different.

 
 
 
Texan1211
Professor Principal
3.2.3  Texan1211  replied to  Jeremy Retired in NC @3.2    last year
OH LOOK!!!!!  Another mindless "but Trruuummmmppppp!!!" distraction comment.

OIP.jpQnVL62NOshRrTBZcgI9gAAAA?pid=ImgDet&rs=1

 
 
 
Right Down the Center
Junior Guide
4  Right Down the Center    last year

We can either do something about it now or have him constantly threaten us with nuclear war.....Like Putin.  The more people that have nuclear capability the better the chances become that someone uses it, just because they can.  Then we will all look back and have to say "I guess we should have done something about it when we had the chance".  Assuming anyone is left of course.

 
 
 
Ed-NavDoc
Professor Quiet
4.1  Ed-NavDoc  replied to  Right Down the Center @4    last year

Best thing to hope for at this time is something caused by natural causes, or he gets taken out by his own people, but that would probably never happen because most of the North Korean populace and the military are too brainwashed by the Kims. In addition, anything that happen to Kim Jong-Un, his lunatic blood thirsty baby sister would blame it on the US and the West anyway and retaliate.

 
 
 
Right Down the Center
Junior Guide
4.1.1  Right Down the Center  replied to  Ed-NavDoc @4.1    last year

Once they have decent nukes that can reach us it would not  surprise me if his baby sister did him in so she could blane us and lob a few our way.

 
 
 
Ed-NavDoc
Professor Quiet
4.1.2  Ed-NavDoc  replied to  Right Down the Center @4.1.1    last year

My thoughts exactly. That gal got ice water in her veins!

 
 

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