SEOUL (SOUTH KOREA) – North Korean state media said on Saturday that the nation’s leader Kim Jong Un has demanded more advanced nuclear arsenal and said the US is their “biggest enemy”. This has come as a stark challenge to President-elect Joe Biden just days before he assumes office.
The leader said that America’s hostile policies would not change no matter who comes to the White House, adding that quitting those policies would be key to North Korea-US ties.
“Our foreign political activities should be focused and redirected on subduing the US, our biggest enemy and the main obstacle to our innovated development,” Kim said during a party congress in Pyongyang.
“No matter who is in power in the US, the true nature of the US and its fundamental policies towards North Korea never change,” he said, pledging to develop ties with “anti-imperialist, independent forces.”
He said the nation was expanding its nuclear arsenal although it would misuse its weapons, adding that they include “preemptive” and “retaliatory” strike capabilities and warheads of various sizes.
Kim urged developing hypersonic weapons, solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), spy satellites and drones.
He said North Korea was preparing to test and produce various new weapons, and they include a “multi-warhead rocket” and “supersonic gliding flight warheads for new type ballistic rockets, adding that research on a nuclear submarine is already over.
“Kim pretty much showed what’s on his mind – submarine missiles, better ICBMs and other advanced arms,” said Yoo Ho-yeol, professor of North Korean studies at Korea University in Seoul. “He is saying that’s basically what Washington will see going forward, which could escalate tension or open doors for talks.”
