North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to 'exponentially' expand his country's nuclear arsenal and threatened to create a 'more powerful' intercontinental ballistic missile and the launch of its first spy satellite.
The announcement came after he entered 2023 firing three ballistic missiles toward the sea east of the Korean Peninsula, following a record number of testing activities last year.
Mr Kim has repeatedly vowed to boost both the quality and quantity of his nuclear arsenal to cope with what he calls US hostility.
Some experts say his push to produce more nuclear arms and new weapons systems reflects his hopes of solidifying his future negotiating power as he heads into prolonged tensions with the US and its allies.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to 'exponentially' expand his country's nuclear arsenal and threatened to create a 'more powerful' intercontinental ballistic missile and the launch of its first spy satellite (undated photo)
'They are now keen on isolating and stifling (North Korea), unprecedented in human history,' Mr Kim said at a recent ruling party meeting, according to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
'The prevailing situation calls for making redoubled efforts to overwhelmingly beef up the military muscle.'
Mr Kim accused South Korea of being 'hell-bent on imprudent and dangerous arms build-up' and openly trumpeting its preparations for war with North Korea.
That, he said, highlights the need to mass-produce battlefield tactical nuclear weapons and push for 'an exponential increase of the country's nuclear arsenal', KCNA reported.
Mr Kim also set out plans to develop another ICBM system 'whose main mission is quick nuclear counterstrike'.
It was reported the leader accused the US of frequently deploying nuclear strike means in South Korea and pushing to establish a NATO-like regional military bloc.
Mr Kim said North Korea will also launch its first military reconnaissance satellite 'at the earliest date possible', saying related preparations are in their final stages.
Tactical nuclear weapons and a military reconnaissance satellite are on Mr Kim's long wish list of new weaponry.
Other weapons he wants include a multi-warhead missile, a more agile solid-fuelled ICBM, an underwater-launched nuclear missile and a hypersonic weapon.
Soo Kim, a security analyst at the California-based Rand Corporation, said: 'Kim's comments from the party meeting reads like an ambitious - but perhaps achievable - New Year's Resolution list.
'It's ambitious in that Kim consciously chose to spell out what he hopes to accomplish as we head into 2023, but it also suggests a dose of confidence on Kim's part.'
Last month, North Korea claimed to have performed key tests needed for the development of a new strategic weapon, a likely reference to a solid-fuelled ICBM, and a spy satellite.
Mr Kim has repeatedly vowed to boost both the quality and quantity of his nuclear arsenal to cope with what he calls US hostility