Pyongyang: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has expressed confidence that the country's armed forces will play an "outstanding" role in the upcoming five years. This statement was made during his visit to the Ministry of National Defense to commemorate the 78th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Army (KPA), as reported by state media.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim's visit took place just before the ninth party congress scheduled for late February. During this congress, Kim is expected to outline his major policies concerning the military, diplomacy, economy, and other areas for the next five years. In his speech on Sunday, Kim hinted at unveiling a new five-year plan aimed at strengthening the nation's defense capabilities at the party congress.
Kim stated, "The coming five years that will be indicated by the Ninth Congress of the Party will be years when our army's outstanding role that no one else can perform will become further enhanced," as reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Previously, during the eighth party congress in 2021, North Korea had announced plans to develop high-tech weapons, including military spy satellites, solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles, and a nuclear-powered submarine.
On the occasion of the army anniversary, Kim praised the North Korean military for undergoing "unheard-of dramatic events" and accomplishing "distinguished feats" in the past year. He noted that "this year is a year of tremendous transformation, when the fighting front of our army will become more widened and which will demand more strenuous efforts."
Additionally, Kim extended his congratulations to commanding officers and combatants of overseas special operations units, specifically acknowledging the troops sent to Russia to support Moscow's war against Ukraine. Since October 2024, North Korea has deployed approximately 15,000 combat troops to Russia's Kursk border region to assist in its military efforts.
Kim's visit to the defense ministry was accompanied by key defense officials, including Pak Jong-chon, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, and Defense Minister No Kwang-chol. In honor of the army's founding anniversary, No and other senior military officials paid their respects at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where the late state founder Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il, father of the current leader, are laid to rest.