fortress

SEOUL, May 18 (UPI) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un convened a meeting with commanding officers from across the country’s armed forces and called for strengthening frontline defenses along the border with South Korea to create an “impregnable fortress,” state-run media reported Monday.

Kim held the meeting at the headquarters of the ruling Workers’ Party Central Committee on Sunday, the official Korean Central News Agency said. It was the first known gathering of all division and brigade commanders since Kim took power in 2011.

Kim called for the “rapid modernization of the military and technical equipment of our army” and stressed the need to adapt military training to the changing nature of modern warfare, KCNA said.

He emphasized the country’s “territorial defense” policy, including “strengthening the first-line units in the southern border and turning the border line into an impregnable fortress,” according to the report.

KCNA said Kim outlined plans to reorganize the military structure and bolster frontline and other major units with upgraded weapons and technology as part of efforts to strengthen deterrence.

Earlier this month, North Korea announced plans to deploy new 155 mm self-propelled howitzers to three battalions assigned to long-range artillery units along the southern border this year.

The meeting comes as Pyongyang hardens its military posture toward Seoul and formally abandons decades-old reunification language.

North Korea recently revised its constitution to remove all references to reunification with South Korea, cementing Kim’s push to redefine inter-Korean ties as relations between two separate states.

The two Koreas remain technically at war because the 1950-53 Korean War ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty.

South Korea’s Unification Ministry assessed Monday that the meeting appeared aimed at encouraging the military while reinforcing ideological discipline and modernization efforts.

“North Korea has adopted a two-state stance, and there appear to be trends in that regard,” ministry spokesman Yoon Min-ho said at a regular press briefing. “We will continue to closely monitor related trends in the future.”

Asked whether the North’s latest moves could escalate the situation along the border, Yoon said Seoul would continue efforts to reduce military tensions and build trust on the Korean Peninsula.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has sought to reduce tensions since taking office in June, including by dismantling border propaganda loudspeakers and calling for renewed dialogue, but Pyongyang has largely ignored the overtures while continuing to expand its military capabilities.

On Monday, the Unification Ministry released its annual white paper, which defined Seoul’s new “Korean Peninsula peaceful coexistence policy.”

The policy is based on principles President Lee outlined in August, including respecting North Korea’s system, rejecting unification by absorption and avoiding hostile acts.

WHEN booking a holiday to Italy, most will head to the likes of Naples, Sicily or Rome.

But if you’re looking for a lesser-known spot that still has beautiful beaches and a unique fortress, the port city of Crotone could be one for you.

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Crotone in Italy‘s region of Calabria was revealed to be one of the best ‘under-the-radar’ destinations for 2026 by Conde Nast Traveller.

It came just below Turku in Finland and Thunder Bay in Canada – but for Brits, Crotone is much easier and cheaper to get to.

The publication said: “A little lower down from Bari, on the heel of the “boot” of Italy, lies Crotone: a port city overlooking the Ionian Sea.

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“Surrounded by luscious hills and littered with ancient remnants of the acropolis built in the mid-16th century, Crotone is also known for its floating fortress – Capo Rizzuto – that protrudes out on a small peninsula.”

The port city, which is sometimes referred to as the ‘pearl of Calabria’ sits on the boot of Italy in the south of the country.

The seaside spot was also once a Greek colony that was the home of Pythagoras.

Now, the city is home to around 58,000 people – meaning it’s much quieter than other popular spots like Rome which is home to millions.

As for what to do there, Crotone’s harbour is central to the city where visitors will discover a lively spot for local seafood markets and restaurants, or you can explore the history of the Old Town.

The Old Town is the spot for nightlife too, with plenty of bars and a pint can be picked up for only €3 (£2.59).

If lazing about on the beach is what you want to do, there are lots of pretty ones to see in Crotone along the Ionian coast like Le Castella and Marinella.

Further down the coast at Capo Colonna, snorkelling and diving is popular as swimmers are likely to see parrotfish, and potentially loggerhead turtles.

While it might not be the most-visited place, it is popular amongst those who have.

On Tripadvisor, one person described it as an “indescribable place, almost every year I visit and always bring people who have never seen our Calabrian beauties and it is always a discovery.”

During peak summer Crotone can be as high as 35C – ideal if you’re looking for a hot holiday.

One draw back to Crotone is that Brits can’t fly there directly – with Ryanair, you can get to Crotone by flying via airports at Milan or Bologna.

But this does keep flights affodable though – the cheapest average price of flights are around £62 return.