“The US aggression and hegemonic moves for the strengthened alliance are the root cause of aggravating the regional tension,” ruling party newspaper Rodong Sinmun said on Tuesday in a commentary on US drills with Australia and Japan.
In his meeting with the commanders, Shin outlined steps the military was taking to boost its capabilities.
These include launching its own satellites, improving soldiers’ welfare, and “dramatically” strengthening the South’s “three-axis” defence system designed to counter the North’s military threats, including war plans that call for pre-emptive strikes if necessary.
On Tuesday the ministry requested a hike of 4.5 per cent in next year’s defence budget, aiming to boost the “three-axis” system with more submarines, US-made F-35A stealth jets, and missile defence systems.
Last week, the national security advisers of the United States, South Korea and Japan, meeting in Seoul, agreed on new initiatives to respond to North Korea’s threats in cyberspace, from cryptocurrency abuses to space launches.
South Korea and the United States will hold talks on nuclear deterrence on Friday as part of Washington’s commitment to give Seoul more insight into its plans in the event of conflict with North Korea.
Since their 1950 to 1953 war ended in a truce rather than a peace treaty, the neighbours remain technically in a state of war.