Seoul/Pyongyang: After the North Korean threats and military deployment, South Korea has begun gearing up and advancing defence preparedness. In the next few months, 40 new F-35 stealth fighters are slated to arrive in South Korea. On the other hand, North Korea is growing its nuclear arsenal and claimed to have constructed a secret submarine base. On the sidelines of the developments, the addition of the new F-35s assumes much significance.  

Last week, Kim Yo-jong, North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un’s sister, had threatened military action against South Korea. Before that, North Korea had severed all communications with the South. The country had slammed South Korea for its failure to stop the activists, who released balloons into North Korea containing leaflets criticising dictator Kim Jong-un, stating it as the reason behind the decision.  

After that, North Korea became more aggressive and blew up the Liaison office, which was built to improve diplomatic ties between the two Koreas. At the same time, North Korea even threatened to send its military to the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ).   

The series of events have caused tensions to soar immensely in the region. South Korea has thus begun to accelerate activities to increase its defence preparedness. The country had already decided to procure F-35 fighters from the US given North Korea’s aggressive actions. Also, South Korea and the US have signed a deal to that effect, and 13 F-35 planes have been delivered to South Korea and entered service.  

The fresh tensions have prompted South Korea to hasten the delivery of the new batch of F-35s from the US. The efforts yielded success and US companies have indicated delivering 40 of the stealth fighters to South Korea at the start of next year. The F-35 is a fifth-generation fighter jet and capable of stealth, electronic warfare and equipped to carry nuclear bombs.  

Meanwhile, North Korea has secretly added to its nuclear stockpile. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), a think tank that analyses EU security, has reported the information, and said North Korea  had developed ten new nuclear weapons.The weapons are stashed at Kangson’s  uranium enrichment plant, SIPRI claimed. Currently, North Korea is said to own more than 30 nuclear weapons.    

Some researchers have asserted that North Korea has even constructed secret naval bases apart from the development of nuclear weapons. The naval base is at Sinpo located in North Korea’s east coast. The claim mentions that North Korea had arrangements for the deployment of warships and submarines at the underground base.  

The military unit sent near the South Korean border, the development of new nuclear weapons and the construction of a secret naval base, all are indicative of North Korea preparing for a new conflict. Moreover, analysts believe North Korea’s preparations are aimed at pressurising the US and South Korea. 

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