Manav Singh, Pune
North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un in his address at the North Korean Navy Day event, called out for strengthening their navy preparedness. The leader has also accused the United States of “unstable waters with nuclear danger” as reported by state media KCNA on Tuesday.
Kim added in the address to celebrate Navy Day that the “gang bosses” of the United States, Japan, and South Korea announced regular combined military drills, according to KCNA, referring to their Aug. 18 meeting at Camp David, Maryland.
The leaders of the United States, South Korea, and Japan decided to increase military and economic cooperation in order to project unity in the face of China’s growing influence and North Korea’s nuclear threats.
North Korean leader in his address added “Owing to the reckless confrontational moves of the U.S and other hostile forces, the waters of the Korean Peninsula have been reduced into the world’s biggest war hardware concentration spot, the most unstable waters with the danger of a nuclear war,” Kim has further called for rapid modernisation of the weaponry and equipment and wants the navy to continue the readiness for war. He stressed that the DPRK navy would grow into a component of the country’s nuclear deterrence, carrying out strategic duty,” KCNA stated according to a report by Reuters.
The leader’s comments tend to suggest that North Korea plans to deploy all new nuclear-capable missiles with its navy and other military branches. According to Cheong Seong-chang, a researcher at the Sejong Institute, some intelligence sources indicate that Russia and North Korea are discussing coordinated naval training.
Last week, South Korea and the United States began the Ulchi Freedom Shield summer exercises, which are intended to improve their coordinated response to North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats. Pyongyang has consistently criticised the drills as a dress rehearsal for war.