North Korean leader Kim Jong-un announced that at a key meeting of its ruling party, expected to be held early next year, he will present a “parallel development policy of nuclear and conventional forces.” This signals a shift from a defense strategy focused mainly on nuclear weapons to one that emphasizes simultaneous development of both nuclear and conventional arms. The move is interpreted as an effort to enhance North Korea’s warfighting capabilities through the modernization of conventional weapons.

According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on September 13, Kim visited the Armored Defense Weapon Research Institute and the Electronic Weapon Research Institute of the National Defense Science Academy on September 11 and 12. During the visits, he said, “At the 9th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea, we will present the parallel policy of nuclear and conventional forces.”

This serves as an early announcement of the follow-up to North Korea’s five-year defense development plan (from 2021 to 2025), which is concluding this year. The five-year plan, unveiled at the 8th party congress in January 2021, outlined the development of weapons including nuclear arms, such as ultra-large nuclear warheads, submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and hypersonic missiles. Prior to this, North Korea had strengthened its nuclear detonation capabilities between 2013 and 2017, and since 2019 has focused on diversifying tactical nuclear weapons.

Experts suggest that North Korea’s emphasis on simultaneous development of nuclear and conventional weapons reflects its assessment that modern conventional weapons are decisive in contemporary conflicts, such as Russia’s war in Ukraine. Nuclear weapons primarily serve as a deterrent and are rarely used on actual battlefields. The policy may also indicate an intent to follow global trends in integrating nuclear and conventional forces (CNI) to enhance nuclear capability. Hong Min, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, said, “This can be seen as an effort to improve warfighting capabilities through the modernization of conventional forces.”

Kim Jong-un observed the defense of tanks using newly introduced electronic jamming equipment and integrated active defense systems, as well as live-fire exercises by sniper units. Since dispatching troops to Russia last November, he has frequently visited special forces, artillery, and tank units.

North Korea condemned upcoming South Korea–U.S. and South Korea–U.S.–Japan military drills scheduled to begin on the 15th. In a statement released through KCNA, Kim Jong-un’s powerful sister Yo-jong criticized the “Iron Mace” and “Freedom Edge” exercises, saying, “Reckless displays of force will undoubtedly bring unfavorable results upon themselves.” She described the two exercises, the first since the inauguration of the Lee Jae-myung administration, as “a continuation of confrontational policies.” The Freedom Edge drills will be held from September 15 to 19, while the Iron Mace exercises, a discussion-based drill on the integrated operation of nuclear and conventional forces, are expected to take place during the same period.

Professor Im Eul-chul of the Institute of Far Eastern Studies at Kyungnam University commented, “North Korea is using these drills to legitimize its parallel nuclear-conventional policy, while simultaneously highlighting the Lee administration’s dependence on the U.S., thereby reinforcing the hostile posture toward both countries.”