North Korea's Kim Jong Un Says Now Is Time to be Ready for War

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visits a military university in Pyongyang, North Korea, in this picture released on April 11, 2024 by the Korean Central News Agency. KCNA via REUTERS Purchase Licensing Rights
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visits a military university in Pyongyang, North Korea, in this picture released on April 11, 2024 by the Korean Central News Agency. KCNA via REUTERS Purchase Licensing Rights
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North Korea's Kim Jong Un Says Now Is Time to be Ready for War

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visits a military university in Pyongyang, North Korea, in this picture released on April 11, 2024 by the Korean Central News Agency. KCNA via REUTERS Purchase Licensing Rights
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visits a military university in Pyongyang, North Korea, in this picture released on April 11, 2024 by the Korean Central News Agency. KCNA via REUTERS Purchase Licensing Rights

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said unstable geopolitical situations surrounding his country mean now is the time to be more prepared for war than ever, as he inspected the country's main military university, KCNA news agency said on Thursday.

Kim gave field guidance on Wednesday at Kim Jong Il University of Military and Politics, named after his father who died in 2011, which KCNA said is the "highest seat of military education" in the country.

North Korea has stepped up weapons development in recent years under Kim and has forged closer military and political ties with Russia, allegedly aiding Moscow in its war with Ukraine in return for help with strategic military projects.

Kim told university staff and students that "if the enemy opts for military confrontation with the DPRK, the DPRK will deal a death-blow to the enemy without hesitation by mobilizing all means in its possession," KCNA reported.

DPRK is short for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the North's official name, Reuters reported.

"Outlining the complicated international situation ... and the uncertain and unstable military and political situation around the DPRK, he said that now is the time to be more thoroughly prepared for a war than ever before," KCNA said.

Earlier this month, Kim supervised the test launch of a new hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile using solid fuel, which analysts said would bolster the North's ability to deploy missiles more effectively than liquid-fuel variants.

North Korea has accused the United States and South Korea of provoking military tensions by conducting what it called "war maneuvers" as the allies have conducted military drills with greater intensity and scale in recent months.



Afghans Both Hopeful, Disappointed after Russia's Taliban Recognition

A man talks by a phone while standing on a balcony of the Afghan Embassy in Moscow, Russia, Friday, July 4, 2025, after Russia recognized the Taliban government in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)
A man talks by a phone while standing on a balcony of the Afghan Embassy in Moscow, Russia, Friday, July 4, 2025, after Russia recognized the Taliban government in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)
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Afghans Both Hopeful, Disappointed after Russia's Taliban Recognition

A man talks by a phone while standing on a balcony of the Afghan Embassy in Moscow, Russia, Friday, July 4, 2025, after Russia recognized the Taliban government in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)
A man talks by a phone while standing on a balcony of the Afghan Embassy in Moscow, Russia, Friday, July 4, 2025, after Russia recognized the Taliban government in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)

Russia's decision to formally recognize the Taliban government has been seen as an opening for a stronger economy by some Afghans, while others were skeptical that it would improve their lot.

Russia became the first country to acknowledge the Taliban authorities on Thursday, after a gradual building of ties that included removing their "terrorist organization" designation and accepting an ambassador in recent months.

The Taliban authorities had not been recognized by any state in the nearly four years since sweeping to power in 2021, ousting the foreign-backed government as US-led troops withdrew after a two-decade war.

Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries in the world and in a fragile recovery from four decades of conflict.

"With the current situation in Afghanistan, with all the challenges, everyone is worried. If the world recognizes Afghanistan, we will be happy, currently, even the tiniest thing matters," Gul Mohammad, 58, said on Friday in the capital Kabul.

Despite having bitter memories of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, when he "lost everything" and became a refugee in Pakistan, he acknowledges that "the priorities are different now".

Jamaluddin Sayar, 67, predicted that "trade and economic prosperity will now blossom".

The retired pilot said other countries, "both western and eastern", should recognize the government and "stop spreading propaganda".

- Won't 'lead to anything' -

Russian and Afghan officials praised the move as an opening for deeper cooperation, notably in economic and security arenas.

Security concerns have been a key avenue for coordination between the Taliban authorities and the international community, amid fears Afghanistan would become fertile ground for increased militant activity.

The authorities have prioritized security and made repeated assurances that Afghan soil would not be used by any group to plan attacks on other nations.

However, Pakistan's ties with the Taliban authorities have been strained over a surge in militant activity since their takeover and last year, an attack claimed by the ISIS group's branch in Afghanistan killed 137 people in a Moscow concert hall.

In a country where dissent and protest is tightly controlled, some Kabul residents were afraid to openly criticize the Taliban authorities.

Atef, not his real name, was unconvinced better relations between Afghanistan and Russia would improve the livelihoods of ordinary Afghans.

"I think Afghanistan will fall into the traps of the Russians again, the issues and challenges will increase, and there is nothing that can help ordinary people," the unemployed 25-year-old said.

"People are struggling, and they will still struggle with or without the recognition."

For Afghan women's rights activists, particularly those who have advocated for isolating the Taliban government, the recognition was seen as a setback that "legitimizes" restrictions on women.

The Taliban authorities, who also ruled the country between 1996 and 2001, have again imposed an austere version of their own interpretation of Islamic law.

Norway-based Afghan women's rights activist Hoda Khamosh was defiant against the impact of the Russian move.

"Human rights organizations right now are trying to recognize gender apartheid in Afghanistan because the Taliban are a repressive regime against women," she said.

"Therefore, these recognitions will not lead to anything."