This comes after North Korean state media reported that the country successfully tested a hypersonic missile on Wednesday. In his New-Years speech, Kim Jong-un said that Pyongyang would continue to strengthen its defence capabilities due to an increasingly unstable military environment on the Korean peninsula.
There are concerns that North Korea may showcase the latest missiles and weaponry today, in honour of their leader’s 38th birthday.
However, Gordon Chang, an expert on North Korea and China, believes that even if dangerous ballistic missiles are put on display, North Korean officials have bigger things to worry about.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, he said: “We could see displays of weaponry on his birthday—the 8th of this month—but expect him to stress his work to improve livelihoods.
“Kim Jong-un is apparently concerned that displays of weapons will not be popular, now that many North Koreans are facing starvation.
“In remarks that appeared to replace his traditional New Year’s Day address, Kim stressed economic development. Although he did mention the North’s weapons, his comments were low-key.
“Starvation is now uppermost in people’s minds. Kim closed his land borders with China and Russia in January 2020 to protect the North from coronavirus, and he enforced draconian disease-control measures with shoot-to-kill orders.”
The closed borders have aggravated severe food shortages that were already growing due to strict UN sanctions.
Mr Chang said: “North Koreans have been told to not expect relief until 2025, which some residents think is an effective death sentence. People have already starved to death.
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