Pyongyang: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has called for the armed forces to develop into an “invincible” entity at a military parade celebrating the 80th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea, state media reported Saturday. In his speech delivered Friday night, Kim reiterated the nation’s commitment to enhancing its defense capabilities, while refraining from issuing direct threats toward South Korea or the United States.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim emphasized that the sovereignty of North Korea can only be “defended and guaranteed by strength,” as reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). He underscored the need for the military to grow into an entity capable of countering threats through political, ideological, military, and technical superiority.
Kim’s comments come amid North Korea’s ongoing efforts to advance its missile and weapons development as part of its five-year defense strategy. The military parade featured the new Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile for the first time. Kim described the military as a pivotal force for the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK), praising the troops’ involvement alongside Russia in the Ukraine conflict.
Kim lauded the “heroic fighting spirit” and “victory” achieved by North Korean forces on foreign battlefields, which he said demonstrated the ideological commitment of the army. He made these remarks in front of foreign guests, including Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, who attended the events celebrating the party’s anniversary.
Kim also reiterated North Korea’s opposition to “injustice and hegemony,” with an apparent reference to the United States, although he avoided any inflammatory language against Washington or Seoul. During a parliamentary meeting last month, Kim mentioned his “good memories” of former U.S. President Donald Trump and expressed openness to dialogue with the U.S., contingent on the lifting of denuclearization demands.