North Korea Pursues Unification Based on Military Superiority... Concerns Over Inter-Korean Arms Race

Regulation Amendment: "Republic Armed Forces Will Be Continuously Strengthened"
"Tasks of the Struggle for National Reunification with Strong Defense Power"
Indicates Development of Nuclear-Powered Submarines, ICBMs, and Hypersonic Weapons

On the 9th, the Korean Central News Agency reported on the 10th that the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea held discussions on the summary of work of the Party Central Committee, the summary of work of the Party Central Inspection Commission, and amendments to the Party Charter.
The photo shows the meeting on the 5th day of the Party Congress

As North Korea clearly outlined its policy to strengthen its defense capabilities, including nuclear power enhancement, through the 8th Workers' Party Congress, dark clouds are gathering over the Korean Peninsula situation in 2021. In particular, concerns have arisen that a military arms race between the South and the North could be triggered as Pyongyang revealed its will to pursue reunification based on military superiority.

According to North Korea's state media, the Korean Central News Agency, on the 10th, North Korea revised the Workers' Party charter to specify the strengthening of defense capabilities, and Chairman Kim Jong-un devoted a significant portion of his three-day 'Report on the General Review of the Party Central Committee's Work' to concrete tasks in the defense sector.

On the 9th, North Korea added a new passage to the preamble of the revised Workers' Party charter stating that it will "continuously strengthen the Republic's armed forces politically, ideologically, and militarily."

The term "Republic's armed forces" can be understood to mean the defense capabilities encompassing human forces such as the Korean People's Army and various defense equipment. This is the first time such an expression has been included in the Party charter under the leadership system of the Workers' Party in North Korea.

In particular, the news agency reported that the Party charter "clearly stated that in the struggle tasks for national reunification, it will suppress fundamental military threats with strong defense capabilities to protect the stability and peaceful environment of the Korean Peninsula."

Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies, interpreted this as "revealing the will to pursue reunification based on military superiority," adding, "It is not an immediate push for reunification but a level of becoming a military power to ensure their regime stability and pursue reunification from a militarily equal position."

He also added, "It is possible to analyze that there might be a change in the unification front tactics through disguised peace offensives as in the past."

Earlier, in the general review report from the 5th to the 7th, Chairman Kim presented a considerably concrete vision for defense, unlike other sectors such as the economy and society.

He officially announced the development of a nuclear-powered submarine, ordered an increase in the accuracy of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), and hinted at the development of 'hypersonic' weapons capable of neutralizing air defense systems.

He even revealed that the new nuclear submarine design research has been completed and is in the final review stage, presenting "possession of nuclear submarines and underwater-launched nuclear strategic weapons to enhance nuclear long-range strike capabilities" as a national task.

He also expressed displeasure targeting South Korean President Moon Jae-in, focusing on the introduction of cutting-edge weapons and military buildup.

Jung Sung-jang, a research fellow at the Wilson Center and senior researcher at the Sejong Institute, said, "North Korea has adopted a policy to realize not only stability on the Korean Peninsula but also national reunification through superior defense capabilities based on nuclear weapons and missiles," adding, "As North Korea's nuclear and missile capabilities become more advanced, it is expected to show a more coercive attitude toward South Korea."

The Korean Central News Agency reported on the 10th that during the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party held the previous day, discussions on the summary of the Party Central Committee's work, the summary of the Party Central Inspection Committee's work, and amendments to the Party Charter took place. The revised Party Charter includes provisions on strengthening national defense capabilities.

Since North Korea has openly declared its military strengthening, South Korea's countermeasures are inevitable.

Im Eul-chul, a professor at the Institute of Far Eastern Studies at Kyungnam University, said, "It means institutionalizing and solidifying the stance of nuclear war deterrence and self-defensive defense capability enhancement once again," adding, "It suggests that the issue of an arms race between the South and the North will become the biggest agenda in the future."

However, it is evaluated that the actual manifestation of North Korea's declarations should be observed and responded to while adjusting the level to prevent unnecessary military tensions from escalating.

Jung Dae-jin, a professor at Ajou University, said, "The key in the future is to observe how (North Korea's military strengthening) is realized in defense," adding, "It is necessary to respond in the context of autonomous defense on the Korean Peninsula, considering arms control emphasizing military trust to prevent the situation from worsening into greater military tension and the growth of neighboring countries' defense capabilities."

Furthermore, there is an analysis that North Korea's hardline message is aimed at the upcoming U.S. Biden administration.

The strong nature of the message is to make it clear that if the Biden administration ignores North Korea or continues with a policy of pressure, North Korea's defense capabilities will be further strengthened, and the military crisis on the Korean Peninsula will escalate.

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