Khushi Bhuta, Pune
North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un has called for increased preparations for the possibility of a potential war. He has urged the country’s defense to “grid for war” and called for greater weapon production, as well as the expansion of military drills. He has also dismissed the country’s top general, Chief of the General Staff Pak Su Il, after only seven months of serving his role.
The state media, KCNA, reported that Kim Jong Un made the statements during a meeting of the Central Military Commission, which reviewed countermeasure strategies to retaliate against North Korea’s enemies. During the meeting, several other “leading commanding officers” were also dismissed, transferred, or appointed, causing a shakeup in the country’s military leadership.
The report also stated that General Ri Yong Gil was declared the new military’s top general. The status of Ri Yong Gil’s position as defense minister is yet to be clarified.
Furthermore, the report outlined other strategies laid out by Kim Jong Un, including the enlargement of the country’s total weapons production capacity. During a visit to a weapons factory last week, he called for an increase in the production of the country’s artillery, missile engines, and other weaponry. However, the report didn’t go into detail about the intricacies of his statements.
The US has accused North Korea repeatedly of providing weapons to Russia in its war against Ukraine consisting of missiles, rockets, and artillery ammunition. However, both North Korea and Russia have denied the allegations.
According to the KCNA, Kim also urged the military to practice using the country’s latest weapons and equipment to keep its forces ready for combat, while calling out to them to “grid for war”.
North Korea is ready to hold a militia parade on September 9 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Day of the Foundation of the Republic.