In a display of military might amidst a backdrop of escalating geopolitical tensions, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, clad in his signature black leather jacket, personally inspected strategic missile bases. Accompanied by his influential sister, Kim Yo Jong, the supreme leader focused on assessing the readiness of North Korea’s nuclear deterrent forces, emphasizing their vital role in safeguarding the country’s security.
The inspection, detailed by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), included a comprehensive review of crucial launch facilities, transport vehicles, and the country’s largest and most powerful intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). Photos released by KCNA showcased Kim standing in front of massive Hwasong-18 solid-fuel ICBMs, underscoring the nation’s commitment to bolstering its missile capabilities.
Kim’s remarks during the inspection highlighted the growing threat posed by the US’s strategic nuclear arsenal, emphasizing the need for a robust counteraction posture by North Korea’s nuclear forces. He called for continuous modernization and fortification of the nation’s strategic missile bases, underscoring the imperative of maintaining a strong deterrent against perceived threats.
This inspection comes on the heels of South Korea’s intelligence agency’s revelation of a ‘large-scale’ North Korean troop deployment to Russia in support of the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Satellite imagery, released earlier this week, indicated that 1,500 elite North Korean special forces personnel were training in Russia, sparking widespread speculation about Pyongyang’s direct involvement in the war.
While both North Korea and Russia have denied the troop deployment, the US and NATO are yet to confirm or refute the claims. Reports from Ukrainian media, citing President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, suggest that two North Korean brigades, each with up to 6,000 personnel, were undergoing training in Russia. Further adding fuel to the fire, the Russian Telegram channel Astra released videos purportedly showing Russian and North Korean soldiers together, with audio snippets capturing phrases spoken in a North Korean accent.
This confluence of events paints a picture of heightened tensions and underscores the complex geopolitical landscape in which North Korea finds itself, with its military ambitions taking center stage. Kim Jong Un’s recent actions and pronouncements serve as a clear indication of North Korea’s unwavering resolve to maintain a strong nuclear deterrent, even as the country navigates its intricate relationship with both the US and Russia.