North Korea Plans Joint Nuclear, Conventional Forces Policy

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un announced a new military policy that aims to simultaneously advance nuclear weapons and conventional armed forces, which will be formally presented at the upcoming 9th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea. This dual focus is intended to strengthen national defense capabilities, with the nuclear arsenal remaining central to deterrence while enhancing ground, naval, and air forces to counter regional threats. Kim's announcement follows his recent diplomatic engagements with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which have elevated his international profile. He also conducted inspections of weapons research centers, oversaw military drills, and visited domestic development projects, signaling a blend of military modernization and internal consolidation. The policy underscores North Korea's defiance of international pressure to denuclearize and is expected to escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula, drawing anticipated reactions from the US, South Korea, and Japan. This strategic approach reflects Pyongyang's pursuit of a more flexible, comprehensive military posture amid growing regional security challenges.