NKorea: 'Destructive' Military Posture 06/26 06:11

   

   SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observed major 
weapons tests and called for the military's "deadly and destructive offensive 
posture" to be bolstered, state media reported Friday, as South Korea announced 
it would drastically boost its drone warfare capabilities.

   The development comes as tensions remain high on the Korean Peninsula, with 
Kim pushing to strengthen both nuclear and conventional military capabilities 
while refusing to return to talks with South Korea and the United States.

   The tests watched by Kim on Thursday were meant to evaluate the power of a 
"special mission" warhead for a tactical ballistic missile, an upgraded 
multiple rocket launch system and the hit accuracy of shells with an extended 
firing range of a self-propelled gun-howitzer, the official Korean Central News 
Agency said.

   KCNA cited Kim as saying results of the tests proved the technological 
progress achieved in a push to bring about a change in the fire posture on 
southern border areas, implying the tested weapons systems target sites in 
South Korea including U.S. military bases there.

   Kim said North Korea's self-defense policy includes an objective to 
strengthen "the deadly and destructive offensive posture to make no enemy dare 
to confront," KCNA said. "To make the enemies feel constant uneasiness and fear 
is just an important aspect of the exercise of war deterrent."

   KCNA said the special mission warhead tested is aimed at "inflicting fatal 
damage on major targets including airfields, ports and power facilities of the 
enemy."

   Later Friday, South Korea's Defense Ministry announced plans to beef up its 
drone forces, citing growing military threats by North Korea which allegedly 
received technology assistance from Russia. The plans include developing 
long-range exploding drones, acquiring more than 20,000 low-cost reconnaissance 
and attack drones and training the country's entire 500,000 troops as "drone 
warriors."

   "North Korea is also currently receiving technology transfers from Russia, 
so there's an urgent need for us to respond proactively to the changing nature 
of warfare and the evolving operational environment," Defense Minister Ahn 
Gyu-back told reporters.

   Ahn said the plans reflect how low-cost loitering munitions like drones are 
becoming crucial in modern warfare, including in Russia's invasion of Ukraine 
that also involved thousands of North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian 
troops. Ahn said the South Korean military plans to have 500,000 "drone 
warriors" across the army, navy, air force and marines who operate drones 
"easily like personal firearms."

   North Korea has been focusing on enlarging its nuclear and missile arsenals 
since Kim's high-stakes diplomacy with U.S. President Donald Trump collapsed in 
2019. He's later underscored the need to build sophisticated conventional 
weapons as well.

   On Tuesday, North Korea commissioned the 5,000-ton destroyer that Kim touted 
as a symbol of the country's growing naval and nuclear capabilities. The Choe 
Hyon is North Korea's most advanced warship.

   In response to Trump's repeated outreach to restart diplomacy, Kim has 
suggested that talks can resume if the U.S. drops its demand for 
denuclearization of North Korea as a precondition of diplomacy. Kim has taken a 
harsher posture on South Korea, calling it his country's "principal enemy" and 
building more military structures along the rivals' heavily fortified border.

   Kim has boosted his diplomatic footprint in past years by expanding ties 
with Russia with his support of its war against Ukraine. Earlier this month, 
Chinese President Xi Jinping visited North Korea for the first time in seven 
years for a meeting with Kim.