North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has instructed the military, including its nuclear program, to “accelerate” war preparations in response to what he perceives as unprecedented confrontational actions by the United States. Kim highlighted an “extreme” military situation on the Korean peninsula due to unprecedented anti-North confrontations with the US.
Increased political and defense cooperation among South Korea, Japan, and the US has been witnessed this year, driven by a series of weapons tests by Pyongyang.
The US has deployed a nuclear-powered submarine to Busan, conducted drills with long-range bombers alongside Seoul and Tokyo, while North Korea achieved milestones such as launching its first military spy satellite and testing the solid-fuelled Hwasong-18, its most advanced intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Additionally, North Korea has officially enshrined nuclear power status in its constitution.