Kim Jong Un says North Korea ready to mobilise nuclear deterrent

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has claimed that his country is ready to mobilise its nuclear war deterrent. State news agency KCNA reported that speaking at a Korean War Anniversary event, Kim said, the country was fully ready for any military confrontation with the US.  Kim said, nuclear threats from the US required North Korea to achieve the urgent historical task of beefing up its self-defence. In a speech to mark the armistice  that ended fighting in the Korean War, known as ‘Victory Day’ in North Korea, Kim Jong Un said the threat posed by the United States required Pyongyang to build up its defence. In his address, Kim said Washington continues “dangerous, illegal hostile acts” with South Korea against his country some 70 years after the war, and seeks to justify its behaviour by “demonising” it.

The comments come amid concern that North Korea could be preparing a seventh nuclear test. Earlier last month, the US warned that Pyongyang could conduct such a test at any time. North Korea's most recent nuclear test was in 2017. North Korea has long accused the US of double standards over military activities and pursuing what it says is a “hostile policy” towards Pyongyang. North Korea is likely to face stronger sanctions, including measures aimed at curbing its cyberattack capabilities if it goes ahead with the test, South Korea’s foreign minister said on Wednesday.