North Korean leader Kim Jong Un stated that plans to strengthen frontline units near the border with South Korea, as well as other key military units, are essential for "even more effective war deterrence." This was reported on Monday by the state news agency KCNA, as cited by Reuters and UNN.
Details
Kim Jong Un's comments regarding the strengthening of military power at the border with the aim of turning it into an "impregnable fortress" were made during a meeting on Sunday with army division and brigade commanders.
According to KCNA, he called for adapting the training system and expanding practical exercises to match changes in modern warfare, as well as revising the operational concepts of the North Korean army.
Kim emphasized the need for vigilance against the "primary enemy" — a term North Korea uses in reference to South Korea.
The two Koreas remain technically at war, as the 1950–1953 conflict ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty.
South Korea's Ministry of Unification stated on Monday that this was likely the first reported meeting between Kim and division and brigade commanders since he came to power. Seoul also added that they would continue working to manage military tensions and build trust.
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff reported on Monday that North Korean troops have intensified fortification work in areas near the land border between the two Koreas since March, including the construction of walls.
Hong Min, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification in Seoul, stated that Kim's mention of fortifying the "southern border" could indicate Pyongyang's intention to also strengthen its military presence on maritime borders with the South, particularly near the disputed Northern Limit Line (NLL).
According to Hong, Kim's references to modern warfare and the reimagining of operations "in all spheres" likely reflect lessons Pyongyang has drawn from the war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East, specifically regarding the use of drones, precision strikes, and electronic warfare capabilities.
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