Kim Jong-un Urges Military Readiness Amid US Tensions

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has called for enhanced military readiness, urging a radical shift in war preparations, while the Foreign Ministry condemned the US for labeling North Korea as an uncooperative state in anti-terror efforts. This highlights escalating tensions and diplomatic challenges ahead.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has called on his military to make a “radical turn” in their war preparedness, as reported by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Saturday. During an inspection of the Guards 1st Air Wing, he urged all military units to enhance their readiness and remain fully alert, indicating a shift in focus toward war preparations.

The military drills he observed apparently included various key components. These included anti-air missile units, radar and electronic warfare units, along with a demonstration of a new long-range precision guided glide bomb and a simulated raid on specific targets. This focus on military capability signals an escalation in North Korea’s military posture.

In a related development, North Korea’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement criticising the United States for re-designating the country as an uncooperative state in anti-terror efforts. This re-designation was made public Tuesday, alongside countries such as Cuba, Iran, Syria, and Venezuela, and has drawn a sharp backlash from Pyongyang.

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson argued that the international community should outright reject this classification. They described the US’s actions as a “unilateral and malicious designating campaign” aimed at unfairly labeling sovereign states as ‘state sponsors of terrorism.’ Such terms, they argue, are misused to discredit independent nations under the guise of combating terrorism.

Further, the statement criticized the US’s claims of leading international anti-terrorism efforts, asserting that “no one has asked the US” to take on such a role. They reaffirmed North Korea’s firm stance against terrorism that disrupts global peace and noted that Pyongyang intends to oppose any form of foreign interference in its domestic affairs.

In summary, Kim Jong-un’s push for a “radical turn” in military readiness reflects heightened tensions and a potential escalation in North Korea’s military ambitions. The Foreign Ministry’s strong condemnation of the US re-designating North Korea as an uncooperative terrorist state underlines the longstanding animosity between the two nations. This situation is evolving, and international responses will likely shape future interactions.

Original Source: www.aa.com.tr