Kim Jong-un orders strengthening of Navy's readiness to 'step up war preparations'

The statement was made as North Korea escalates tensions on the Korean Peninsula since the beginning of this year. It is noted that recently, North Korea conducted three rounds of launches of cruise missiles within a week, including test trials of a new strategic cruise missile launched from a submarine.

During a visit to the Nampho shipyard on the country's west coast, Kim Jong-un stated that strengthening the Navy is the "most important issue," requiring the modernization of North Korea's shipbuilding industry.

He was briefed on the ongoing preparations for the construction of military vessels. Kim Jong-un, in turn, ordered progress in implementing the five-year plan for military development outlined during the party congress in 2021.

"During the key meeting, Kim had vowed to develop high-tech weapons, including a nuclear-powered submarine, along with a hypersonic warhead, spy satellite and solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles," the news agency states.

North Korea's provocations

In recent weeks, Kim Jong-un has made a series of statements indicating his desire and readiness to start a war with South Korea. The New York Times has reported that the U.S. anticipates the possibility of military actions between North and South Korea in the coming months.

At the same time, the media report that Pyongyang has a significant reason not to escalate the conflict, as the pace of North Korea's economic growth has reached the highest level in almost a decade due to arms sales to Russia.

The White House has stated that North Korea is attempting to develop long-range ballistic missiles and continues to work on military production.