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At a meeting of the ruling Workers' Party, Kim highlighted the need to secure "overwhelming military power" to defend its sovereignty and security. The meeting came amid cross-border tensions over last week's intrusion by North Korean drones into the South, and the North's series of missile launches, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
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"We will strengthen our overwhelming massive punishment and retaliation capability to be able to destroy key facilities anywhere in North Korea in case of its nuclear attack or use of weapons of mass destruction," the ministry said in a statement. In total, the ministry aims to spend 331.4 trillion won ($261 billion) on defence over the next five years, with an average annual increase of 6.8%.
Lee was initially expected to be pardoned in August when Yoon first exerted his clemency power after taking office in May. Lee is the fourth former South Korean president to be jailed.
Read more about IAEA chief says to make all-out effort to stop North Korea's nuclear program on Devdiscourse