February 9, Friday, 2024

1. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un says his country will occupy and annex South Korean territory in the event of war, stressing he would not hesitate to use force. The North’s state-run media reported on Friday that Kim visited the defense ministry with his daughter the day before. Thursday is the founding anniversary of the North’s military.
2. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has spoken of his intention to “reset” the
“direction of Ukraine’s leadership” in the war effort against Russia. He announced on Thursday that he will replace his commander-in-chief. Zelenskyy posted a video on social media expressing his gratitude to General Valeri Zaluzhnyi for two years.
3. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed a new commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces. Zelenskyy on Thursday named Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander of Ukraine’s ground forces, to lead the military, replacing Valerii Zaluzhnyi.