Seoul:
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to strengthen his nuclear-armed nation’s military capabilities at a essential ruling party meeting, state media reported Thursday, just weeks prior to Joe Biden’s inauguration as US president.
In his work report to the Workers’ Party congress, Kim pledged to spot “the state defence capabilities on a much higher level, and put forth goals for realising it”, the official Korean Central News Agency stated.
After an initial war of words and mutual threats, outgoing US President Donald Trump had an extraordinary diplomatic bromance with Kim, featuring headline-grabbing meetings and declarations of enjoy by Trump.
But talks among Washington and Pyongyang have been stalled due to the fact the two men’s second summit in Hanoi broke down in February 2019 more than sanctions relief and what Pyongyang would be prepared to give up in return.
Analysts say the North is working with the 5-yearly congress to send the incoming administration a message, but is treading cautiously — Biden characterised Kim as a “thug” throughout the presidential debates, although Pyongyang has previously named him a “rabid dog”.
KCNA did not refer to nuclear weapons in its report or give distinct information of Kim’s objectives.
But defector-turned-researcher Ahn Chan-il of the World Institute for North Korea Studies in Seoul told AFP: “It basically means the North will strengthen its nuclear capabilities.
“Kim does not want to say the word ‘nuclear’ as Biden requires workplace later this month, and he knows the incoming president’s stance on Pyongyang is uncompromising compared to his predecessor,” he added.
“Kim in all probability does not want to provoke him at this stage. But the North would by no means give up its nuclear weapons, that is extremely clear.”
The US is expected to return to more orthodox diplomatic approaches under Biden, such as insisting on extensive progress at working-level talks before any leaders’ summit can be considered.
– ‘Mistakes we have made’ –
North Korea says it needs nuclear weapons to defend itself against a possible US invasion, and for decades has poured vast amounts of resources into developing them, at the cost of diplomatic isolation and multiple international sanctions.
Its progress accelerated rapidly under Kim, including by far its most powerful nuclear test and missiles capable of reaching the whole of the US.
At a military parade in October it showed off a huge new missile that analysts concurred was the largest road-mobile, liquid-fuelled missile anywhere in the world, and was highly likely to be designed to carry multiple warheads in independent re-entry vehicles (MIRVs).
Analysts said it was proof that the North had continued to develop its arsenal throughout the diplomatic process, and gave Pyongyang greater heft to demand a return to the negotiating table.
The five-yearly congress is the top meeting of the North’s ruling party, a grand political set-piece that reinforces the regime’s authority and is closely followed by analysts for signs of policy shifts.
Reports citing satellite imagery say there are indications Pyongyang is planning a parade “with military components” to mark the gathering.
On its first day, Kim admitted that “practically all sectors” had fallen short of their economic targets and said the congress would comprehensively analyse “the experiences, lessons and errors we have created throughout the period beneath overview”.
The coronavirus pandemic has added to the pressures on the North, which closed its borders final January to defend itself against the pandemic that very first emerged in neighbour and essential ally China.
As a outcome, it has blockaded itself far more correctly than even the most hawkish advocate of sanctions could ever hope to attain.
Pyongyang insists that it has not had a single coronavirus case — observers doubt the claim — but trade with China is at a tiny fraction of the usual level.
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