Kim Jong Un of North Korea Plans to Deploy Additional Surveillance Satellites and Develop Nuclear Weapons

North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un Announces Plans for Military Expansion

In a recent Workers’ Party meeting to outline state objectives for the upcoming year, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared intentions to launch three additional military spy satellites, enhance the production of nuclear weapons, and introduce modern unmanned combat equipment in 2024. Emphasizing the need for "overwhelming" war readiness to counter perceived confrontational moves led by the U.S., Kim outlined his strategy amidst a backdrop of stalled diplomacy with the United States.

During the five-day gathering, Kim expressed concern over unprecedented actions by the United States and its allies, asserting that such moves have brought the Korean Peninsula to the brink of nuclear conflict. In response, he called for accelerated efforts to bolster war response capabilities and ensure comprehensive military readiness to thwart any provocations.

Kim detailed plans to launch three new military spy satellites in the coming year, in addition to the reconnaissance satellite launched in November. He also instructed authorities to intensify efforts to manufacture more nuclear weapons and develop advanced unmanned combat equipment, including armed drones and powerful electronic warfare devices.

The North Korean leader's focus on military modernization follows the breakdown of nuclear diplomacy with former President Donald Trump in 2019. Kim's military has since conducted numerous weapons tests, including over 100 ballistic missile launches, in violation of U.N. bans. The heightened tensions have prompted the U.S. and South Korea to expand military exercises and deploy strategic assets in response.

South Korea's intelligence agency predicts potential military provocations and cyberattacks by North Korea ahead of South Korean parliamentary elections in April and the U.S. presidential election in November. Analysts suggest that North Korea may be strategically waiting for the outcome of the U.S. election to gauge potential concessions from the next administration.

In response to increasing tensions with the U.S. and its allies, North Korea has sought closer ties with Russia and China. Accusations have been made regarding North Korea supplying conventional arms to Russia in exchange for advanced military technologies. The suspected technologies reportedly include fighter aircraft, surface-to-air missiles, armored vehicles, and ballistic missile production equipment.

U.S. intelligence indicates that North Korea has provided Russia with significant military equipment and munitions. Additionally, South Korean officials believe that Russian support played a role in North Korea successfully placing its spy satellite into orbit in November, despite skepticism about its military utility.