Tensions remain high on the Korean peninsula. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, in a speech he gave last Friday to a conference of battalion commanders and political instructors in Pyongyang, urged the country’s military to improve. He called for strengthening political and military power and effectiveness in fighting so that the armed forces would be able to respond to a war, the Reuters report said.
“He warmly called on all participants to make every effort to achieve substantial and fundamental improvement in their capabilities to face a real war,” the state news agency (KCNA) said.
Also last week Kim oversaw a test of “kamikaze” drones and ordered their mass production, citing growing global competitiveness to adopt such weapons.
Threats from the United States and its allies, including South Korea, as well as its military standoff with North Korea, have driven tensions “to the worst phase in history,” he said, calling the Korean Peninsula “the biggest flashpoint in the world”.
The condemnation for Ukraine
In a separate report, KCNA said a Russian delegation led by Natural Resources and Environment Minister Alexander Kozlov arrived in Pyongyang on Sunday for talks on trade and the economy.
United States President Joe Biden, South Korean President Yun Suk-yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba condemned the decision by North Korea and Russia to “dangerously expand” the war in Ukraine, during of a meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Peru.
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How might the development and deployment of “kamikaze” drones affect North Korea’s relations with its neighboring countries and the international community?
Introduce the first guest:
Mr. Lee, a North Korea expert based in South Korea, specializes in analyzing the political and military affairs of North Korea. He has published several books and articles on the topic and regularly appears on international news channels.
First Theme: Interpretation of Kim Jong Un’s Speech and North Korea’s Military Preparedness
Interviewer: Good morning Mr. Lee. Last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un gave a speech where he urged the military to improve their capabilities to respond to a war. What is your interpretation of this statement and how does it impact the current military preparations of North Korea?
Guest 1: Mr. Lee: Hello. As per Kim Jong Un’s speech at the conference of battalion commanders, it seems that he is emphasizing the importance of military readiness and strengthening the country’s military power. This comes as no surprise given the ongoing tensions on the Korean peninsula and North Korea’s long-standing efforts to modernize its armed forces. However, it is indeed concerning that he is specifically calling for improvements in their ability to fight a war. It could suggest that he plans to engage in provocative actions or even escalate the existing situation.
Interviewer: That’s an interesting perspective, Mr. Lee. Do you think that these military preparations are solely aimed at deterring external threats from countries like the US and South Korea, or do you see any internal reasons for their focus on strengthening the military?
Guest 1: There might be both internal and external reasons. Internally, Kim Jong Un might be using the military buildup to consolidate his power and maintain his grip on the country. Externally, there are concerns about the decline in his control over the economy which could weaken his regime. By focusing on the military, he is trying to divert attention from economic issues and maintain the loyalty of the military elite.
Interviewer: That’s a fascinating point. Moving on to our second theme, let’s discuss the recent test of “kamikaze” drones by North Korea. What’s your take on this development and what implications could it have for the region?
Second Theme: Kamikaze Drones Test and Their Implications
