Kim Jong Un seeks to continue bolstering North Korea’s nuclear capabilities, state media says

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un hosted a meeting with military leaders about nuclear policies to reinforce the country’s capabilities, according to state media, multiple outlets reported.

The meeting of the Workers’ Party’s Central Military Commission comes as denuclearization talks with the United States have been stalled since last year.

It is also Kim’s first public appearance in nearly three weeks, according to the outlet.

The meeting focused on efforts to “reliably contain the persistent big or small military threats from the hostile forces,” state media KCNA reported, according to Reuters.

“Set forth at the meeting were new policies for further increasing the nuclear war deterrence of the country and putting the strategic armed forces on a high alert operation” the outlet continued, according to Reuters. The state-run outlet noted that officials also took “crucial measures for considerably increasing the firepower strike ability of the artillery pieces.”

Kim signed seven orders at the meeting, KCNA reported, according to CNN.

The meeting “served as a historic turning point of great significance in increasing the capabilities of the revolutionary armed forces,” according to KCNA, CNN reported. 

Earlier this year, North Korean officials lashed out at Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, accusing him of being “reckless” by calling on the international community to collectively pressure the country over its nuclear and missile programs. 

North Korea has imposed widespread coronavirus regulations during the global pandemic, although it has said it has no confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Kim made his first appearance in 20 days earlier this month amid global speculation over his health.