The Korea Herald

피터빈트

Kim Jong-un makes 'important' decision on protecting sovereignty: report

By 문예빈

Published : Feb. 3, 2013 - 09:40

    • Link copied

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un made an "important" decision regarding the communist state's security and sovereignty at a military meeting, a news report said Sunday.

The report of the military meeting comes on the heels of speculation that North Korea is poised to conduct its third nuclear test. The North has threatened to detonate a nuclear device in retaliation for the U.N. Security Council's resolution condemning its Dec. 12 long-range rocket launch.

On Friday, in the latest sign that the communist state was preparing for a nuclear test, sources here said the North has put a screen over the entrance to the western tunnel in the test site in Punggye-ri in the North's northeastern tip in an apparent attempt to block outside monitoring of the detonation.

Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), monitored in Seoul, said Kim presided over an "enlarged meeting" of the Central Military Commission of the ruling Workers' Party. The KCNA's English-language dispatch didn't specify when or where the meeting was held, but said members of the commission and commanding officers of the large combined units, including the navy, air force and strategic rocket force, were present.

"Kim Jong-un made an important concluding speech, which serves as guidelines for further strengthening the (North's Korean People's Army) into a matchless revolutionary army of Mt. Paektu and defending the security and sovereignty of the country as required by the (Workers' Party) and the developing revolution," the KCNA said.

The report added the participants also discussed "the issue of bringing about a great turn in bolstering up the military capability," in line with the country's "songun," or military-first policy. (Yonhap News)