North Korean leader Kim Jong Un unveiled new goals for the country’s military for 2023

Kim Jong Un unveiled new goals for North Korea’s military in 2023 at the meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party, suggesting a continuation of intensive weapons development and testing.

The leader spoke on the second day of the Workers’ Party gathering where he reviewed the ‘newly created challenging situation’ on the Korean peninsula and the broader political landscapes.

The third-generation dictator set the direction for the ‘anti-enemy struggle’ and goals for reinforcing defence power, a state media report said.

This sets out a plan for the continuation of North Korea’s weapons development, having increased tension in the region and globally over the past year after ongoing testing of long-range missiles.

Kim Jong Un spoke on the second day of the Workers’ Party gathering at the Party Central Committee headquarters in Pyongyang, North Korea on Wednesday

The 6th expanded plenary session of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea gathered at the Party Central Committee headquarters in Pyongyang, North Korea on Wednesday

North Korea’s official KCNA state news agency said on Wednesday that Kim Jong Un ‘specified the principles of foreign affairs and the direction of the struggle against the enemy that our party and government must thoroughly abide by in order to protect sovereign rights and defend national interests.’

The report added: ‘New core goals for strengthening self-defensive capabilities to be strongly pursued in 2023 have been presented in preparation for diverse fluctuations in the political situation.’

No further detail was provided on the ‘core goals’, but the despot’s remarks could indicate the isolated country will continue to accelerate its ongoing militarisation and missile stock.

Over the past year, North Korea has fired an unprecedented number of missiles. Most of the missile launches were designed to develop ‘top priority’ strategic weapons under a five-year plan laid out at a Workers’ Party congress in early 2021.

The list includes tactical nuclear weapons, a new intercontinental ballistic missile, hypersonic gliding flight warheads, nuclear-powered submarines and a reconnaissance satellite.

The plan appears to set out the continuation of North Korea’s weapons development. Pictured: the test-firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile in Pyongyang in November 2022

Throughout 2022, tension remained high in the region, and globally, as North Korea conducted its weapons tests.

Tensions heightened this week as five North Korean drones crossed into South Korea. This prompted Seoul to scramble fighter jets and attack helicopters to shoot the drones down.

During the plenary meeting, Kim Jong Un also pointed out ‘a series of serious shortcomings’ observed in such areas as science, education and health this year, and suggested ways to overcome them and raised key tasks for next year, KCNA said.

North Korean leaders previously made speeches on New Year Day, but in recent years, Kim has called days-long party gatherings at the end of the year to announce major policy decisions.

The days-long party gatherings will now continue as Kim Jong Un is left to navigate North Korea’s way through piling international sanctions.