During a visit to Kim Il Sung University of Politics, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un stated that arms without ideology are insignificant, calling them “ironware.” His remarks were meant to bolster military morale amid deployments to Russia and to reinforce the need for ideological commitment within the military. Analysts believe this focus aims to address potential unrest among soldiers regarding overseas assignments.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited Kim Il Sung University of Politics on the school’s 80th founding anniversary, emphasizing that arms lack value without ideology, referring to them as mere “ironware.” His statements were reported by state media as part of efforts to invigorate military morale amid recent troop deployments to Russia. Analysts interpret this as a reaction to concerns about dissent within the military following such deployments.
During his visit, Kim stressed the importance of instilling ideology in the army before enhancing military technology. He labeled soldiers, weapons, and ideology as the fundamental elements of a powerful armed force. Kim’s assertion is that without a strong ideological foundation, military readiness is compromised.
Kim declared the Korean People’s Army (KPA) must aspire to be the strongest in the world, asserting, “It is a conclusion to be drawn by us once again that it is the basic way of building a powerful army to strengthen the political force of the army on a preferential basis and in a qualitative way.” This approach reiterates North Korea’s historic emphasis on ideological commitment within its military ranks.
The backdrop for Kim’s statements includes North Korea’s considerable military assistance to Russia amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict, leading to increased scrutiny of the North’s military dispatches. The South Korean Unification Ministry noted that emphasizing ideological fortitude connects to both international military deployments and internal military projects, which younger soldiers may resist.
Experts suggest that Kim’s focus on ideology aims to legitimize the troop deployments to Russia while reinforcing military discipline and regime cohesion. This strategic emphasis may also counter domestic dissatisfaction stemming from these overseas assignments, fostering a deeper loyalty to the regime among soldiers.
In a related note, discussions at the university included a depiction of a strategic target: the Sacheon Airfield in South Korea, showcasing North Korea’s military objectives. Analysts indicate that this illustrates North Korea’s prioritization of South Korea’s aerospace sector as a key military focus.
Additionally, a North Korean Workers’ Party delegation visited Moscow, likely to evaluate potential cease-fire negotiations in the Russia-Ukraine war and engage with Russian officials. While lacking disclosure on the visit’s specifics, the South Korean Unification Ministry will continue monitoring the evolving dynamics.
Kim Jong-un’s recent visit to Kim Il Sung University of Politics highlighted the significance of ideology in military strength, labeling unideological arms as mere ironware. His remarks aimed to bolster military morale amid troop deployments to Russia. Analysts suggest these efforts are crucial for maintaining political cohesion within the ranks, particularly in light of potential discontent among young soldiers regarding overseas assignments. The emphasis on ideological loyalty reflects North Korea’s broader military strategy as it engages internationally regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Original Source: koreajoongangdaily.joins.com
