To oppose the United States and its allies, Kim Jong-un has ordered the construction of new intercontinental ballistic missiles and expedited the production of tactical nuclear weapons.
According to today’s report from North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim Jong-un has directed the “exponential” speed of production for the mass manufacture of tactical nuclear weapons and has ordered the industry to prioritize the development of these weapons. The defense sector has developed a new generation of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) with improved response times.
“Efforts to consolidate overwhelming military might are needed now more than ever to counteract the U.S. military’s recent maneuvers and safeguard the nation’s sovereignty, security, and core interests. More hatred directed against us, “That’s what Kim was reportedly stating during a major Workers’ Party of Korea gathering, according to KCNA.
In addition, Pyongyang claimed that the United States and South Korea were engaged in a “plot to isolate North Korea,” which it described as “unparalleled in the history of the world.”
Some hours after the first ballistic missile launch of 2023, aimed at the ocean, the news was released. After traveling 400 kilometers in the air, the projectile crashed into the water between the Korean peninsula and Japan.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Republic of Korea have condemned the launch as a “severe act of aggression” threatening regional peace and security. They have emphasized that their country closely monitors any steps made by North Korea in coordination with the United States.
North Korea tested a series of missiles last year with a record high frequency in that the United States and its allies have repeatedly held large-scale exercises in the region.
Recent escalation on the Korean peninsula can be directly attributed to the parties’ military activities. On the 26th of December, South Korea declared that it had sent out fighter jets and attack helicopters to deal with “North Korean unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)” but had been unable to shoot any of them down.
The South Korean military immediately shot down the North Korean drone after President Yoon Suk-yeol deemed the incident “unforgivable.”
To counter the threat from North Korea, South Korea authorized a $2.7 billion upgrade to the F-15K heavy fighter and a $4.4 billion investment in a suite of anti-UAV initiatives.
How Many ICBMs does North Korea have?
It is difficult to say exactly how many ICBMs (intercontinental ballistic missiles) North Korea has, as the country is not transparent about its military capabilities. However, it is believed that North Korea has a small number of ICBMs that it has developed and tested over the years.
These include the Hwasong-14 and Hwasong-15 missiles, which are believed to be capable of reaching the mainland United States with a nuclear payload. It is important to note that the development and possession of ICBMs is a controversial issue, as they are weapons of mass destruction that have the potential to cause significant damage and loss of life.