Editor’s Note: The following is an excerpt from a speech delivered by Kim Jong Un, leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, at the opening ceremony of the Defence Development–2025 military hardware exhibition.
It is highly significant that, in the run-up to the 80th founding anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, the Defence Development–2025 exhibition is being held. This event once again provides a clear visual display of the level our defence capabilities have now attained.
The exhibition features the most recent results of key projects undertaken to place the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s military capabilities—centred on our nuclear deterrent—on a thoroughly modern and advanced foundation.
Taking this opportunity, I extend my thanks to the defence scientists, technicians, and all workers of the munitions industry who have added great significance to our revolutionary October holiday with their proud achievements in strengthening the defence sector.
Comrades,
This exhibition highlights the historic meaning of our Party’s 80th founding anniversary. Since its inception, our Party has consistently prioritized the Juche-oriented defence industry, laying the foundation for independent development and setting ambitious goals for steady progress. In less than a year, this industry has achieved remarkable successes once again. By making these results public, we celebrate the 80-year-long history of our Party in the most fitting way.
This exhibition demonstrates that our defence capabilities have reached a level even beyond what the founding generation of the Juche-oriented defence industry envisioned.
The Workers’ Party of Korea was born with the absolute mission of safeguarding the destiny of the people. Thus, it is a natural duty of the Party to devote its main efforts to building the strongest defence industry in the world, continuously developing it to protect the dignity and security of the nation, defend the people’s rights and interests, and ensure their future.
The history of our munitions industry, which provides the material and technological basis for our overall military strength, began with the founding of the Party. Since then, guided by the Party, it has followed an upward path, culminating in the latest defence achievements proudly displayed here. These symbolize our Party’s accomplishments for the state, the revolution, and the people.
The destiny of a nation cannot be secured apart from a powerful munitions industry, which guarantees both security and political guidance. This was recognized by the first-generation revolutionaries of Korea, who, after liberation, dedicated themselves to building an armaments industry as a cornerstone for a new country. They produced submachine guns of their own design and, during the war, risked and gave their lives to manufacture weapons for defeating the imperialist invaders. Thus was forged the revolutionary spirit of Kunja-ri: the spirit of defending the country through self-reliance.
By faithfully inheriting this tradition, the gunshots fired in Phyongchon-ri eight decades ago have grown into successive explosions of strength, demonstrating the ability to defend the independent dignity of our state and people and to overpower imperialist aggression. Today, the steady production of Juche-based weapons—unparalleled anywhere in the world—fills this exhibition hall.
This event epitomizes the epochal advances of our defence science and technology, as well as the comprehensive growth of our munitions industry.
At the recent Supreme People’s Assembly, we reaffirmed that maintaining security and defending peace with overwhelming strength is our unchanging principle. This exhibition provides concrete proof of that guarantee.
Our defence achievements displayed here are powerful at the highest level. In recent years, we have developed or upgraded military hardware capable of actively responding to the changing character of modern warfare. With the introduction of artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies, their effectiveness on both current and future battlefields has been confirmed. This reflects the unique, innovative trajectory of our Juche-oriented defence technology.
Clearly, our defence industry is advancing continuously and rapidly, relying on its own solid foundations and ingenious methods. This proves that the Eighth Central Committee of the Party has faithfully fulfilled its mission and responsibility for the state and people.
On behalf of the Party Central Committee, I once again extend warm militant respect to all defence scientists, technicians, and munitions industry workers for preparing the most valuable gifts for the 80th founding anniversary of our Party.
Comrades,
We must not become complacent about the supremacy of our state’s defence capabilities. Complacency would only slow our advance. Our military strength must steadily improve.
The current security environment allows us no pause. The US–ROK nuclear alliance is accelerating, with joint exercises based on dangerous nuclear scenarios. The United States is expanding its military assets in and around South Korea, posing a grave threat to our security and to that of the region.
This arms build-up is clearly designed to enable pre-emptive strikes in times of crisis. In response, we are closely monitoring their actions and have taken corresponding measures. As U.S. military power expands in the region, our strategic attention grows, and we have already directed our special assets toward critical targets.
They themselves must now consider whether the territory of the ROK can remain safe under these circumstances.
If the United States persists in reckless military reinforcement, we will respond with further measures to eliminate new threats and maintain the balance of power.
Comrades,
At the next stage, new goals will be set for defence technology development. The Party’s strategic programme specifies the core targets for all fields, and our national defence capability will advance more swiftly than ever.
The cause of the Workers’ Party of Korea—to strengthen the war deterrent for self-defence—will continue victoriously.
I hope all comrades attending this exhibition, opened with splendor to celebrate the Party’s 80th founding anniversary, will tour the displays with dignity and pride in our tremendous strength.
