Kim Jong Un: Our goal to make soldiers true revolutionaries

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has emphasised the central role of the Korean People’s Army in driving the country’s local development initiatives during the launch of construction projects in Unnyul County. 

Kim singled out the 124th Regiment of the 4th Corps, stating that the party places the People’s Army at the forefront of implementing local development policy, Caliber.Az reports, citing DPRK media output.

He added that a key objective is to turn military personnel into true revolutionaries—ideologically prepared and practically capable of taking on and completing any assigned task without hesitation. Military personnel, he said, are not only essential to construction but also serve as embodiments of the state’s revolutionary mission.

In his address, Kim framed 2026 as a pivotal year for advancing the state’s local development programme. He noted that over the past two years, the policy has already transformed the economic and social landscape of 20 counties, with nearly a third of towns nationwide undergoing substantial upgrades.

The projects in Unnyul will include new industrial facilities, healthcare institutions, and public service complexes. Kim said these initiatives aim to raise living standards and modernise the material and cultural infrastructure of the region. Local industry, he stressed, is expected to grow competitively alongside centrally managed enterprises, reflecting a broader strategy to revitalise peripheral economies.

“The standard of living and level of civilisation in peripheral regions are clear indicators of the maturity of our socialism,” Kim said, linking the success of local development directly to national progress. He also emphasised scientific and methodical approaches in executing annual construction plans, noting that projects should be carried out consistently and efficiently.

Officials, military commanders, and workers attending the ceremony were urged to maintain momentum and increase the scale of construction tasks, which are expected to be more demanding than in previous years.

Kim pledged that Unnyul County would be transformed by the end of the year, with modern industrial and public facilities reshaping the local environment and advancing the party’s broader developmental agenda.

By Aghakazim Guliyev