Kim Jong-sik invokes Iron Mace in a renewed nuclear buildup pledge
North Korean weapons official Kim Jong-sik renewed Pyongyang’s pledge to strengthen its nuclear deterrent in a statement carried on November 2. He accused the United States and South Korea of rehearsing nuclear war during Iron Mace, an exercise held earlier this autumn. The allies described it as integrating American nuclear capabilities with South Korean conventional forces.
Geopolitics··Midday
A policy statement from the weapons programme
Kim Jong-sik, an official in the weapons-industry department of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party, called for faster strengthening of nuclear forces in a statement carried on 2 November. North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency distributed the text. Kim accused the United States and South Korea of rehearsing nuclear war against his country through Iron Mace. He described stronger nuclear capabilities as an established national defence policy. His remarks announced no new weapons test or deployment.[1], [2]
Iron Mace was held earlier this autumn
The United States and South Korea held Iron Mace from 29 September to 2 October. According to South Korea’s military, it addressed the integration of American nuclear capabilities with South Korean conventional forces. The allies conducted a tabletop exercise at the Joint Chiefs of Staff headquarters in Seoul, South Korea’s capital. Kim also criticized other allied exercises and argued that they justified a faster nuclear buildup. His characterization of the allies’ intentions reflects Pyongyang’s accusation.[1], [2]
Analysts note Kim’s policy role
Analysts said it was unusual for Kim, known for overseeing missile development and production, to set out nuclear policy publicly. Yang Moo-jin, a professor emeritus at South Korea’s University of North Korean Studies, suggested his responsibilities could be extending into nuclear and missile policy. Relations between the Koreas had deteriorated after a border mine explosion in September. South Korea’s military said on 2 November that it had no confirmed indication that the North had carried out its threat to resume loudspeaker propaganda by the end of October.[1]
