Latest news with #warpreparation
Telegraph
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
North Korea quietly building chemical weapons for combat
North Korea is developing chemical weapons to use on the battlefield in preparation for full-scale war, according to a high-level official within the regime. In a dangerous escalation, the official told local media outlet Daily NK that North Korea is preparing to 'deploy chemical weapons to some frontline units' and has already completed 'test launches' of ballistic missiles carrying chemical weapons. The despotic regime considers chemical weapons to be an increasingly important strategic deterrent and has exponentially expanded research, development and production systems. 'Chemical weapons are classified as usable and the most realistic means in preparation for full-scale war,' the source said. They added that chemical weapons could be used alongside nuclear weapons in the event of a conflict. 'The authorities believe chemical weapons are a strategic weapon to neutralise the enemy's headquarters and key military facilities first, before using nuclear weapons,' said the source. The most likely target for an attack would be South Korea, which has technically been at war with the North since the 1950s, though no open conflict has taken place for decades. Although North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has abandoned reunification goals, he has threatened to attack the South with nuclear weapons if provoked. An internal military document seen by Daily NK also confirmed that North Korea considers chemical weapons to be the 'highest means to respond immediately before the use of nuclear weapons'. With at least 50 nuclear warheads in its stockpile, the regime source said that North Korea 'publicly brags' about its nuclear capabilities but has 'quietly' and 'rapidly' been developing 'deadly chemical weapons' as well. Between 2022 and 2024, the regime drastically expanded its precision mixing systems and increased the number of fully automated production lines. South Korea estimates that the North has a stockpile of 2,500 to 5,000 tons of chemical weapons agents with the program focused on acquiring cyanide, mustard, phosgene, sarin and VX. VX, an extremely toxic nerve agent, is believed to have been used to kill Kim Jong Un's half-brother, Kim Jong-nam in 2017, following rumours that he posed a threat to the regime. The regime is also reportedly working on developing new biochemicals that can be used to immobilise targets without killing them. A report published by the RAND Corporation in the US in 2022 also raised concerns about North Korea's chemical weapons programme, estimating that a 1,000-kilogram sarin attack could kill as many as 125,000 people. Chemical weapons in North Korea are managed by the Nuclear-Chemical Defense Bureau, which sits within the regime's army and oversees seven chemical weapon brigades that handle chemical attacks, decontamination and protection. The country's chemical weapon and storage facilities, which are often disguised as fertiliser or pharmaceutical factories, are scattered across the country, but are mostly concentrated in highland areas north of the capital Pyongyang. The high-ranking source from the regime said that even senior level officials can only enter the sites with single-use passes and the encryption systems are changed every three months.
Free Malaysia Today
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
North Korea's Kim oversees air drills
Kim Jong Un observes tactical drill demonstrations at an undisclosed location in North Korea. (KCNA/EPA Images pic) SEOUL : North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised drills by the nation's air force and underscored the need for a step-up in war preparation, state media said on Saturday. Kim, who inspected anti-aircraft combat and air strike drills by North Korea's 1st Air Division on Thursday, called for 'all units in the entire military' to bring about 'a breakthrough in war preparation', KCNA reported. Footage of the drills on North Korean state TV showed a MiG-29 jet launching a missile, which appeared to be a North Korean version of a Russia-developed mid- to long-range air-to-air missile, said Hong Min, North Korea analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification. So far this month, Kim has overseen a missile test, inspected tank and munitions plants, made a rare visit to the Russian embassy in Pyongyang reaffirming the country's alliance with Russia, and supervised tank firing drills and special operations unit training. North Korea also slammed the US state department for placing it on a list of countries that do not fully cooperate with US counterterrorism efforts. Pyongyang has been placed on the list every year since 1997, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency said. 'The more the US provokes the DPRK with unnecessary and inefficient malicious acts, the further it will escalate the irreconcilable hostility between the DPRK and the US,' a North Korean foreign ministry spokesperson said, using the country's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. 'The DPRK will… take effective and proper measures to cope with the US hostile provocations in all spheres.'
Daily Mail
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Kim Jong Un does Top Gun: North Korean leader puts pilots through their paces as he calls on his people to step up preparations for war
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un channeled his inner Maverick this week as he supervised drills by the nation's air force and called for the military to step up its preparations for war. Kim inspected anti-aircraft combat and air strike manoeuvres by North Korea 's 1st Air Division on Thursday, state media reported. The hermit kingdom's 'Supreme Leader' spoke to troops while wearing a leather jacket straight out of Tom Cruise classic Top Gun. The North Korean premier called for 'all units in the entire military' to bring about 'a breakthrough in war preparation', KCNA reported. Footage of the drills on North Korean state TV showed a MiG-29 jet launching a missile. The projectile appeared to be a North Korean version of a Russia-developed mid- to long-range air-to-air missile, Hong Min, North Korea analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification, said. Kim has spent much of the last month trying to project strength with a series of military-related engagements. He has overseen a missile test, inspected tank and munitions plants, made a rare visit to the Russian embassy in Pyongyang reaffirming the country's alliance with Russia, and supervised tank firing drills and special operations unit training. Kim, dressed in a leather jacket, speaks to troops on Thursday - one of many military-related engagements the 'Supreme Leader' has carried out over the last month North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (C) saluting a MiG-29 flypast during anti-air combat and air raid drills by the Guards 1st Air Division of the North Korean Army at an undisclosed location in North Korea North Korea also slammed the U.S. State Department for placing it on a list of countries that do not fully cooperate with U.S. counterterrorism efforts. Pyongyang has been placed on the list every year since 1997, South Korea 's Yonhap News Agency said. 'The more the U.S. provokes the DPRK with unnecessary and inefficient malicious acts, the further it will escalate the irreconcilable hostility between the DPRK and the U.S.,' a North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, using the country's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. 'The DPRK will... take effective and proper measures to cope with the U.S. hostile provocations in all spheres.' Earlier this month North Korea and Russia announced that they have begun building their first road link between the two countries announced. The two nations hailed the construction of a bridge over a border river as a major development that will further expand their political and economic ties. The kilometre-long Tumangang Road bridge, which is expected to take 18 months to construct, aims to expand cross-border travel of people, tourism and circulation of commodities, Russian and North Korean news agencies reported. Relations and exchange programs between the two countries have been flourishing in recent years, with North Korea supplying ammunition and troops to support Russia's war against Ukraine. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is giving a round of applause by pilots from the country's military North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (R) watching a flypast of three Saetbyol-9 multi-purpose attack drones during anti-air combat and air raid drills by the Guards 1st Air Division of the North Korean Army Kim Jong Un talks to military members as he inspects projectiles during a visit to an airfield in this photo released by the Korean Central News Agency In April Kim unveiled a nuclear-capable naval destroyer that he claimed would bolster North Korea's ability to defend itself in the face of perceived aggression from the US and its regional allies. The North Korean leader attended the warship's launch ceremony at the western port of Nampo with his teenage daughter Kim Ju Ae, according to state-run media.
Malay Mail
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
North Korea's Kim Jong Un oversees air drills, urges military to intensify war preparations
SEOUL, May 17 — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised drills by the nation's air force and underscored the need for a step-up in war preparation, state media said today. Kim, who inspected anti-aircraft combat and air strike drills by North Korea's 1st Air Division on Thursday, called for 'all units in the entire military' to bring about 'a breakthrough in war preparation', KCNA reported. Footage of the drills on North Korean state TV showed a MiG-29 jet launching a missile, which appeared to be a North Korean version of a Russia-developed mid- to long-range air-to-air missile, said Hong Min, North Korea analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification. So far this month, Kim has overseen a missile test, inspected tank and munitions plants, made a rare visit to the Russian embassy in Pyongyang reaffirming the country's alliance with Russia, and supervised tank firing drills and special operations unit training. North Korea also slammed the US State Department for placing it on a list of countries that do not fully cooperate with US counterterrorism efforts. Pyongyang has been placed on the list every year since 1997, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency said. 'The more the US provokes the DPRK with unnecessary and inefficient malicious acts, the further it will escalate the irreconcilable hostility between the DPRK and the US,' a North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, using the country's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. 'The DPRK will... take effective and proper measures to cope with the US hostile provocations in all spheres.' — Reuters
Japan Times
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
North Korea's Kim oversees air drills, calls for stepped-up war preparations
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised drills by the nation's air force and underscored the need for a step-up in war preparation, state media said on Saturday. Kim, who inspected anti-aircraft combat and airstrike drills by North Korea's 1st Air Division on Thursday, called for "all units in the entire military" to bring about "a breakthrough in war preparation," the official Korean Central News Agency reported. Footage of the drills on North Korean state TV showed a MiG-29 jet launching a missile, which appeared to be a North Korean version of a Russia-developed mid- to long-range air-to-air missile, said Hong Min, North Korea analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification. So far this month, Kim has overseen a missile test, inspected tank and munitions plants, made a rare visit to the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang reaffirming the country's alliance with Russia, and supervised tank firing drills and special operations unit training. North Korea also slammed the U.S. State Department for placing it on a list of countries that do not fully cooperate with U.S. counterterrorism efforts. Pyongyang has been placed on the list every year since 1997, South Korea's Yonhap news agency said. "The more the U.S. provokes the DPRK with unnecessary and inefficient malicious acts, the further it will escalate the irreconcilable hostility between the DPRK and the U.S.," a North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, using the country's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. "The DPRK will ... take effective and proper measures to cope with the U.S. hostile provocations in all spheres."
