He reiterated commitment to strengthening defence capabilities without directly threatening South Korea and the US
Seoul
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has urged the nation’s armed forces to continue evolving into an “invincible” military power during a grand parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK), state media reported on Saturday.
Addressing the event on Friday night, Kim reaffirmed his determination to enhance North Korea’s defense capabilities, emphasizing that the nation’s sovereignty could only be “defended and guaranteed by strength.” He refrained from issuing direct threats against South Korea or the United States, focusing instead on strengthening the country’s internal and strategic power. “Our army should continue to grow into an invincible entity that destroys all threats approaching our range of self-defense by dint of its political, ideological, military, and technical superiority overwhelming the enemy,” Kim stated, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
The speech comes as Pyongyang accelerates its weapons development under a five-year defense plan. At the parade, the regime unveiled the new Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile, signaling continued advancements in long-range strike capabilities.
Kim described the military as the “source of strength” for the Workers’ Party, commending troops for their “heroic fighting spirit” and contribution to international causes. KCNA also reported that Kim praised North Korean forces for their cooperation with Russia in supporting the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, describing their role as a fight for “international justice and genuine peace.”
The display underscored North Korea’s ongoing focus on military self-reliance amid deepening geopolitical tensions.