North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has stated that the country aims to build «the strongest armed forces in the world» by accelerating military reform based on its own model. At a conference of company commanders, he identified strengthening these units as a priority. The statement came against a backdrop of tougher rhetoric from Pyongyang regarding South Korea and the fortification of the southern border.
Briefly about the main points
- Kim Jong-un has described the development of the army as a priority on the DPRK’s agenda.
- The plan is to turn the companies into multi-purpose units with a broader range of functions.
- The South Korean military estimates the size of the North Korean army at 1.28 million.
- Kim Yo-jong had previously declared «psychological warfare» against South Korea.
- KCNA published a photo of Kim following rumours of his death.
The companies are to form the basis of the planned changes
During the company commanders’ conference Kim Jong-un called for the «military revolution» to be accelerated, following the model of DPRK. According to his plan, companies are to be transformed into multi-purpose combat units that will combine the capabilities of different branches of the armed forces and be able to carry out a wide range of tasks independently.
The North Korean leader described them as a key component of the «strong army of the new era». A company usually comprises between 80 and 150 soldiers and may specialise in infantry, armoured or reconnaissance roles.
According to estimates by the South Korean military, the DPRK’s armed forces number around 1.28 million personnel. At the same time, a significant proportion of the country’s conventional weaponry is obsolete, and the actual level of combat readiness of its units is difficult to assess due to the country’s isolation.
The statement came against a backdrop of pressure on South Korea
Speech Kim Jong-un It took place a few days after his younger sister, Kim Yo-jong, had spoken of a «psychological war» against South Korea. She said that the DPRK would «show no mercy» if any real harm were to be done to the country’s territorial security or its military personnel.
By the end of October, loudspeakers were due to be operational along the border for propaganda broadcasts. Such systems had not been used for 16 months prior to this. Previously Seoul used them to broadcast K-pop and news programmes critical of the North Korean regime, whilst Pyongyang, for its part, played, amongst other things, the sounds of animals howling.
At the same time, Pyongyang is strengthening its defences along the southern border: laying mines, erecting barbed-wire fences, anti-tank barriers and other fortifications.
KCNA showed Kim Jong-un following rumours of his death
Prior to the latest reports from the state news agency KCNA, rumours had been circulating on social media about the death of the North Korean leader. They were made public by a Chinese dissident Xie Wanjun, who lives in the US. He claimed that Kim lost consciousness, fell into a coma, was taken to Beijing for emergency treatment, and subsequently died.
Following this, KCNA published new photographs of Kim Jong-un at the National Clothing and Footwear Exhibition in Pyongyang. In the photographs, he is seen viewing the exhibition alongside his wife Ri Sol Ju and his daughter Chu E..
