North Korea craving nuclear power status
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspects an assault rifle during a Korean People’s Army live-fire artillery drill at an undisclosed location in this photo released Tuesday by the North’s Korean Central News Agency. / Yonhap
Kim Jong-un oversees live-fire exercises by artillery units
By Kang Seung-woo
North Korea is engaged in a frenzied propaganda campaign to confer on itself the status of a nuclear-weapons state, stepping up media coverage of its latest nuclear test towards this end.
Pyongyang conducted a third test on Feb. 12 ― following tests in 2006 and 2009 ― and since then, the regime has produced and run around 10 reports on the move daily, reaching a peak of 13 on Monday.
The state-run Rodong Sinmun newspaper and the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Pyongyang’s state media, mentioned the country’s nuclear status when reporting on an international marathon and the first full moon festival that fell on Sunday.
They also cited media reports from South Korea in an ostensible bid to convince the domestic audience of their so-called status.
Although the North has on multiple times insisted that it has acquired the required nuclear capabilities following the 2006 and 2009 tests, the recent efforts are unprecedented in scale.
However, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said the North is still short of achieving that status.
“Although North Korea detonated a nuclear device, it needs more time to gain the recognition,” MND Spokesman Kim Min-seok said in a briefing Tuesday.
Meanwhile, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has thrust himself into the limelight, touring military camps day after day.
The young leader’s visits ― four times in under a week ― are seen as a show of force prior to anticipated United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) sanctions.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) Tuesday, Kim toured artillery units to check on their combat readiness.
During his visit he ordered live fire exercises, according to state media.
His visits come as Kim, who took over the reclusive regime following the sudden death of his father Kim Jong-Il in December 2011, has increased his military tours, calling for his armed forces to step up preparations for combat.
Last Thursday, the KCNA reported that its “Dear Leader” visited the Korean People’s Army (KPA) Unit 323 ― nine days after the nuclear test ― and on the next day, inspected the KPA 526th large combined unit, also ordering a live fire drill there.
Kim continued his military tour for the third-straight day, “guiding” a flight exercise and a paratroop drill of the Air and Anti-Air Force and Large Combined Unit 630, the KCNA said.
Kim’s military inspection seems to be signaling an armed response to the U.N. sanctions.
Right after the nuclear test, the North said that it will take secondary and tertiary measures if the United States “maintains its hostility.”
The U.S. Senate approved a bill by voice vote condemning North Korea for the test and pressing for tougher action against Pyongyang, according to the Associated Press.
The bill urges President Barack Obama’s administration to work with the U.N. on more sanctions against the North.