North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is meeting with his senior military officials to discuss national defence policies and continuing his arms buildup following a highly provocative run in ballistic missile testing this year that revived tensions with Washington and Seoul.
Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency said Kim presided over a meeting of the ruling Workers' Party's Central Military Commission that began Tuesday to review defence work during the first half of 2022 and confirm "crucial and urgent tasks" to expand military capabilities and implement key defence policies.
The report did not specify any plans or mention any critical remarks toward the United States or rival South Korea. US and South Korean officials have said in recent months that the North could be preparing to conduct its first nuclear test explosion since 2017 as Kim escalates brinkmanship aimed at cementing the North's status as a nuclear power and negotiating economic and security concessions from a position of strength.
KCNA said the commission's members started discussing the agenda that was presented, indicating the meeting may continue for days.
![Kim Jong Un meets with his senior military officials at an undisclosed location in North Korea. Photo / AP](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/SNWGH6GBBIXXPH44GPZSAIVGCY.jpg?auth=faeaeb84b1337164ddf0d507acd72257fdb973761480cb4dd8af6dc3e8fe5bdf&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)