Kim made the call during a two-day conference of company commanders held in Pyongyang on October 22 and 23, according to North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

Addressing the gathering, Kim called for a “Korean-style military revolution,” urging commanders to improve the military and technical capabilities of their units and prepare them for combat responsibilities.

“Let us build the strongest army and speed up a military revolution in our style,” Kim said, according to KCNA.

The North Korean leader also stressed the need to turn every army company into a strong, elite unit capable of operating effectively as part of the country’s broader military structure.

The conference was reportedly the first gathering involving the entire army since the Ninth Congress of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party in February. At that meeting, Kim reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening conventional military capabilities alongside the country’s nuclear and missile programmes.

The latest remarks come amid continued military activity by Pyongyang, which has recently announced tests involving new weapons systems. North Korean state media has claimed that artificial intelligence technology was used in some of the systems, although independent assessments of their capabilities remain limited.

North Korea’s military ambitions have also drawn international attention because the country remains subject to United Nations sanctions over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes.

Pyongyang has continued to maintain that its nuclear status is permanent, while relations with South Korea remain strained by military developments, border disputes and the breakdown of diplomatic engagement.

The latest military conference also coincided with a renewed effort by Seoul to address tensions along the heavily fortified border separating the two countries.

South Korea on Friday, October 23, proposed military talks with North Korea to clarify the location of the Military Demarcation Line, restore communication channels and reduce the risk of accidental clashes.

The proposal followed a landmine explosion in the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) in September that injured three South Korean soldiers. Seoul attributed the incident to North Korean mines, while Pyongyang rejected the accusation.

South Korean officials said the proposed discussions could help resolve differing interpretations of the border and establish measures to prevent further incidents. The United Nations Command could also participate if necessary.

North Korea had not publicly responded to the latest proposal as of Saturday, according to reports.

The two countries remain technically at war because the 1950–1953 Korean War ended with an armistice rather than a formal peace treaty.

Meanwhile, North Korea’s growing military cooperation with Russia has added another dimension to regional security concerns. Pyongyang has provided support for Moscow’s war against Ukraine, including deploying troops, according to South Korean and Western assessments, while reports have pointed to economic and military benefits for North Korea in return.

Kim’s latest call for a stronger military signals that defence development remains a central priority for his government, even as South Korea seeks renewed military communication to manage tensions along their shared border.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia