PYONGYANG (Azat TV) – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called for a comprehensive “military revolution” and the development of self-sufficient combat units, addressing a conference of company commanders in Pyongyang as reported by LADbible. The state-run Korean Central News Agency indicated that the 42-year-old leader emphasized transforming military branches into independent elite units to achieve what he termed the world’s strongest armed forces.
This high-level military gathering follows days after false online rumors claimed Kim had suffered a fatal medical emergency and passed away abroad. Pyongyang countered these unverified claims by releasing official photographs and footage showing the leader visiting a clothing and footwear exhibition in the capital alongside his family.
Border Fortifications and Psychological Warfare Threats
The domestic push for a military build-up arrives alongside a sharp escalation in rhetoric along the inter-Korean border, driven by Kim’s powerful sister, Kim Yo Jong. According to London Loves Business, Kim Yo Jong issued a stern warning that Pyongyang’s tactical hunting teams are taking up new positions and preparing to activate anti-South Korean loudspeakers by the end of October.
She warned that North Korean border guards would show no mercy and “mercilessly eliminate” South Korean troops if any actual harm came to territorial security or service personnel. The proposed loudspeaker campaign aims to revive Cold War-era psychological warfare across a frontier that has seen intensified mine-laying, barbed wire installations, and anti-tank barriers in recent months.
Seoul’s Response and Regional Context
South Korea defended its frontier posture, with the defense ministry stating that warning shots fired near the border were legitimate defensive measures. Seoul warned that it would take proportionate countermeasures if Pyongyang followed through on its aggressive threats.
Adding to the diplomatic activity, South Korean media reported that Kim Jong Un visited neighboring China, crossing via a newly opened bridge in his first trip to the country in a year. The visit coincided with ongoing international scrutiny over the isolated regime’s military priorities, which also encompass expanded conventional, nuclear, and missile capabilities outlined during party congress meetings.