Kim Jong-un Gathers Senior Generals To Discuss Military Operations And Restructuring, South Korea Anticipates Nuclear Tests

JAKARTA - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is again chairing a second day of meetings of the country's senior military officials, focusing on the operations of his front-line military units, amid concerns over a potential imminent nuclear test.

The second day of the meeting of the ruling Workers' Party Central Military Committee discussed the addition of front-line unit operations, modification of the operation plan and restructuring of the main military organization's formation, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

Furthermore, during the meeting Leader Kim Jong-un stressed the importance of efforts to improve the operational capabilities of front-line units, as reported by Reuters, June 23.

The meeting is being watched closely as it could provide clues as to the timing of the nuclear test, which North Korea appears to have been preparing for weeks. South Korean officials said the test could come "at any time" and the timing would be decided by Leader Kim.

However, an official in South Korea's Presidential Office said on Wednesday he thought North Korea could delay what would be its seventh nuclear test, taking into account China's political calendar and the country's COVID-19 situation.

It is known, Kim Jong Un on Tuesday presided over a military meeting, which KCNA reported will discuss the main tasks, to further enhance the functions and roles of military commissions at all levels, as well as the main line of military policy and defense policy of the party.

Last year, Leader Kim drew up a military development plan that includes smaller nuclear bombs, hypersonic missiles, spy satellites and drones.

In April, he called on the country's military to "increase their strength in every way to annihilate the enemy", and has tested an unprecedented number of ballistic missiles this year, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), new hypersonic missiles, ballistic missiles intercontinental and short-range missiles potentially designed for tactical nuclear weapons.

More recently, North Korea recently reported an outbreak of an unknown intestinal epidemic in its notorious territory, which has added further pressure on the isolated economy, which has been battling chronic food shortages and a wave of COVID-19 infections.