KCNA on June 23 reported that at the Workers’ Party of Korea’s 9th Central
Committee 2nd enlarged plenum (June 20-22), General Secretary Kim Jong Un said
US and South Korean actions this year — including regional troop increases,
advancing South Korea’s nuclear-submarine plan and reconvening a nuclear
consultation working group — have seriously worsened the situation on the Korean
Peninsula. Kim said N. Korea will further strengthen its defense forces,
accelerate construction of a 10,000-ton strategic missile cruiser, prioritize
R&D and production of conventional weapons deemed critical to combat capability,
complete ongoing southern border fortification projects and build a new naval
fleet base.