Since late 2023, the Kim Jong Un regime has been axing organizations and symbols associated with unification with Seoul.

The efforts to fully replace the older Kalashnikov assault rifle began in 2018, but as seen in the Kremlin's ongoing war in Ukraine, it will likely take years for the transition to be completed.

"The worst problem we are facing is the one coming from North Korea," the head of Kyiv's military intelligence agency said in the fall.