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| 2025-10-05 18:38:41
(2nd LD) N Korea-defense exhibition
(2nd LD) N. Korea holds annual defense exhibition for 3rd consecutive year
(ATTN: ADDS political parties' responses in last 5 paras)
SEOUL, Oct. 5 (Yonhap) -- North Korea has launched its annual defense exhibition for the third consecutive year, with leader Kim Jong-un describing it as "the results" of the country's projects to modernize and advance its military capabilities, state media reported Sunday.
The Defence Development-2025 kicked off in Pyongyang the previous day, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.
In a speech at the event, Kim touted it as the "recent results of the important projects ... to put the structure of the DPRK's military capabilities, with its nuclear deterrent as the backbone, on an increasingly modern, advanced footing."
DPRK stands for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Kim accused South Korea and the United States of staging various drills based on a nuclear operation scenario and of expanding defense assets in South Korea and the broader region.
"We are closely watching the U.S.' deployment of its means of strategic strike and reconnaissance ... and the mobilization for hostile acts in connection with a new possible threat to our state's security," the North Korean leader said.
He said North Korea has also taken "clear measures" to address them, adding that it has assigned corresponding "special assets" to "the major targets of our concern."
"They themselves should have to judge whether the territory of the ROK would be a safe place in any case," he warned, referring to South Korea by its official name, the Republic of Korea.
In response, South Korea's presidential office called on Pyongyang to make efforts for dialogue and cooperation.
"We hope North Korea will engage in dialogue and cooperation for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and within the international community," the presidential office said in a statement.
The ruling Democratic Party (DP) echoed the presidential office's sentiment.
DP spokesperson Park Jee-hye noted that President Lee Jae Myung has inherited the legacies of former Presidents Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun and Moon Jae-in in building a peace regime on the peninsula and has made "concerted efforts" to ensure peace in the region.
"We hope North Korea will have a positive response to our government's proposals for dialogue and cooperation for the peace and security of the Korean Peninsula and the international community," Park added. "We in the Democratic Party will stay patient and make continuous efforts for the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula."
The opposition People Power Party (PPP), on the other hand, insisted that South Korea must maintain a strong security posture even during the long Chuseok holiday in the face of persistent North Korean threats.
"By making his threats, Kim Jong-un is seeking to take the upper hand in his ties with South Korea and with the United States, while also strengthening his position," PPP spokesperson Son Bum-kyu said. "In response to his provocative words, our government's policy on North Korea has been loose and unstable. We must tighten relations with our allies and discourage North Korea from engaging in provocations. Our government must have a clear and firm response to North Korean threats."
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