North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called on his military to train to become the “strongest armed forces in the world” at a two-day meeting of company commanders in Pyongyang, state media reported on Saturday. His remarks come amid strained ties with South Korea, which has proposed military talks to clarify their border following an explosion in the heavily fortified Demilitarised Zone (DMZ). Addressing the gathering held on Thursday and Friday, Kim outlined a plan to strengthen the North Korean military through what he described as a “Korean-style military revolution”, according to the official Korea Central News Agency (KCNA). Kim called for “all the companies” of the North Korean army to be “turned into a strong elite unit in military and technical aspects and consolidated into perfect combat forces”.
The meeting was aimed at developing a plan “to train the strongest armed forces in the world”, KCNA reported.
The agency said the gathering was the first meeting involving the entire army since a party congress in February. At that event, Kim called for stronger conventional military capabilities while reaffirming North Korea's commitment to developing nuclear weapons and missiles.
North Korea continues weapons development, including AI-linked systems
North Korea has recently tested several weapons systems, including what it described as a new-type precision-guided torpedo system and an intermediate-range hypersonic missile. Both were reported to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
The country has continued to develop its military capabilities despite long-standing United Nations sanctions. North Korea has also enshrined its status as a nuclear-armed state in law, with its leadership repeatedly describing its nuclear arsenal as permanent and irreversible.
Pyongyang has strengthened its ties with Moscow since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. North Korea has sent troops to support Russia's war effort, with the relationship also involving economic benefits and military technology, according to reports.
South Korea proposes military talks after DMZ explosion
Kim's comments come as tensions between the two Koreas remain elevated following an explosion in the DMZ that injured South Korean soldiers.
South Korea on Friday proposed holding military talks with North Korea to clarify the border situation and restore communication channels. Seoul blamed the explosion on North Korean landmines, a claim strongly rejected by Pyongyang.
North Korea had also previously rejected South Korea's demand for an apology over the incident.
Pyongyang had not responded to Seoul's latest proposal as of Saturday, according to the report.
Why North and South Korea remain technically at war
The two Koreas remain technically at war because the 1950-53 Korean War ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty.
The DMZ, which separates North and South Korea, is one of the world's most heavily fortified border areas. The latest explosion and the disagreement over its cause have added to tensions between the neighbours, even as Seoul seeks renewed military communication to address the border situation.
Inputs from AFP