Sat Sep 13 15:53:06 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un plans to unveil a new policy at an upcoming ruling party meeting that will focus on simultaneously advancing both the country’s nuclear arsenal and its conventional military power. This decision, emboldened by North Korea’s growing relationship with Russia and their involvement in the Ukraine war, suggests a shift towards modernizing its conventional forces alongside its nuclear capabilities. Analysts believe this signals Kim’s view that nuclear weapons alone are insufficient as a deterrent and that Pyongyang is seeking to enhance its overall war-fighting capabilities. Concerns are rising in Seoul regarding potential technology transfers from Russia in exchange for North Korean assistance in Ukraine. The meeting is expected to outline modernization plans for conventional arms as a long-term agenda, building upon the ambitious military goals Kim set out in 2021. This development follows a recent public appearance with Russian President Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, which drew criticism from the United States.
**News Article:**
**North Korea to Bolster Conventional Military Alongside Nuclear Arsenal, Eyes Russian Support**
**Seoul, September 13, 2025:** North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has announced plans to unveil a new policy aimed at simultaneously advancing the country’s nuclear arsenal and its conventional military capabilities. The announcement, reported by state media, comes as Pyongyang solidifies its relationship with Russia and faces increased scrutiny from the international community.
Kim stated that the policy will be formally presented at an upcoming key ruling party meeting, the date of which remains undisclosed. The move signals a potential shift in North Korea’s military strategy, suggesting that Pyongyang believes nuclear weapons alone are insufficient as a deterrent and that modernizing its conventional forces is crucial for enhancing overall war-fighting capabilities.
Analysts, including Hong Min of the Korea Institute for National Unification, believe the decision is emboldened by the war in Ukraine, where North Korea is reportedly providing troops to support Russia. Seoul has repeatedly warned of Russia providing military technology in exchange.
“North Korea’s military technology cooperation with Russia seems to be also expanding into the conventional arms sector,” Hong Min said. “Modernisation plans tailored to ‘modern warfare’ are likely to be laid out as a mid- to long-term agenda at the upcoming meeting.”
The announcement follows a recent appearance by Kim alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping at a parade in Beijing. The US President has accused the three leaders of plotting against the United States.
The upcoming party meeting is expected to build upon Kim’s ambitious military agenda from the 2021 congress, which included pledges to develop advanced weapons such as military spy satellites and solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles.
First Piper 