Kim Jong-un: "We Are a Nuclear Power... Unfazed by Any Military Threat" (Comprehensive)

Attended National Veterans Conference on Armistice Day and Delivered Speech
"Safety and Future Guaranteed Forever by Self-Defense Nuclear Deterrence"
"No One Can Threaten Us... Those Who Do Will Pay the Price"

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un spoke at the 6th National Veterans Conference held on the 27th at the Pyongyang April 25th Cultural Hall, according to a report by the Korean Central News Agency on the 28th.

Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, showcased the status of a "nuclear-armed state" both domestically and internationally on the 67th anniversary of the Korean War armistice. Chairman Kim stated, "With our reliable and effective self-defensive nuclear deterrent, the word 'war' will no longer exist on this land, and the safety and future of our nation will be guaranteed firmly and eternally."

Kim made this speech on the 27th at the 6th National Veterans' Congress held at the Pyongyang April 25th Culture Hall, marking the 67th anniversary of the 'Victory Day of the Fatherland Liberation War' (armistice), according to North Korea's state media, Korean Central News Agency, on the 28th.

He emphasized the status of North Korea as a nuclear-armed state, saying, "We have walked the path of self-development as a nuclear-armed state." He added, "Now, at last, we have become capable of reliably defending ourselves without flinching against any form of high-intensity pressure and military threats and intimidation from imperialist reactionaries and hostile forces."

Chairman Kim evaluated that the 70 years since the Korean War "have been a continuous fierce confrontation with enemies, which cannot be called a period of peace," and that "the threats and pressures from imperialism to suppress our development and invade our country have increased every moment."

He continued, "To prevent and deter war itself so that the pain and suffering like the war in the 1950s would never be repeated, we had to possess absolute power. We have overcome all pressures and challenges with resilience on a difficult path that others would have fallen and collapsed on a hundred times, and we have walked the path of self-development as a nuclear-armed state," justifying nuclear possession.

He reiterated, "Now, at last, we have become capable of reliably defending ourselves without flinching against any form of high-intensity pressure and military threats and intimidation from imperialist reactionaries and hostile forces."

Chairman Kim emphasized, "War is an armed conflict that can only be waged against a rival who dares to challenge. Now, no one dares to challenge us. If they do, they will pay a heavy price." He declared, "We will never pause even for a moment on the path of building the strongest national defense that no one can approach."

In this speech, the tone of language toward the United States and China was distinctly different. He used harsh words such as "imperialism," "aggressiveness," and "brutality" toward the United States, showing caution. In contrast, regarding China, he said, "On this occasion, we also pay sublime respects to the martyrs and veterans of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army who helped our people's revolutionary war with blood and showed a true example of combat friendship."

Since this speech was delivered at the National Veterans' Congress, Chairman Kim also expressed respect for the generation that participated in the war. He said, "We cannot think of our country today without the blood and sweat shed by the victorious generation, the great spirit they demonstrated, and the noble sacrifices of the warriors," adding, "We will remember them forever."

Chairman Kim promised that the lives of war veterans would become a textbook for all generations who have not experienced war, saying, "We will cherish it as a noble principle and duty for the entire people to warmly and sincerely treat veteran comrades as their own parents."

This is the second time since coming to power that Chairman Kim has attended and directly delivered a speech at the Veterans' Congress, the first being in 2015.

This year, amid international sanctions led by the United States and the overlapping COVID-19 pandemic, which have deepened economic difficulties and public discontent, it appears that he attended to mark a turning point for maintaining the regime and strengthening internal unity.

Professor Im Eul-chul of the Institute of Far Eastern Studies at Kyungnam University evaluated, "At this 6th National Veterans' Congress, the reaffirmation of nuclear-armed state status and the emphasis on self-defensive nuclear deterrence clearly distinguish it from previous congresses. By sharing pride and confidence in having reached a strategic position with veterans, it aims to inspire loyalty, foster unity between veterans and the new generation of soldiers, and especially to showcase his differentiated achievements."

Meanwhile, at this Veterans' Congress, key party officials including Kim Yo-jong, First Deputy Department Director of the Workers' Party and Kim Jong-un's younger sister, as well as Choe Ryong-hae, Pak Pong-ju, Ri Pyong-chol, Ri Il-hwan, Choe Hwi, Choe Pu-il, Ri Man-gon, O Su-yong, Jo Yong-won, Kim Yong-hwan, Pak Jong-nam, Ri Hi-yong, and Kim Jong-ho, along with Pak Jong-chon, Chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army, and Kim Jong-gwan, Minister of the People's Armed Forces, were also present.

After the congress, war veterans attended a banquet prepared by the Cabinet at the People's Culture Palace and Okryu Restaurant.

North Korea commemorates July 27, the day of the armistice agreement, as 'Victory Day' (Victory Day of the Fatherland Liberation War), and has held veterans' congresses in 1993 (the 40th anniversary), 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2018.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.