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North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un urged his military leaders at a meeting on Sunday to mobilize the strongest means to destroy South Korea and the United States if either country decides to go to war, according to state media reports.
Kim warned leaders about the dangers of an armed confrontation that is quickly becoming a reality on the Korean peninsula.
He blamed maneuvers by the United States and other enemies for North Korea having to “sharpen its sword” to protect itself.
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“If they decide on a military confrontation and set fire, we must mobilize all the most powerful means… to deal a devastating blow to them and destroy them completely,” Kim was quoted as saying by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
KIM JONG UN REVEALS NEW YEAR RESOLUTION TO PRODUCE MORE NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS AND LAUNCH MILITARY SATELLITES
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)
The dictator received his senior military leaders at the ruling Workers' Party headquarters to recognize and congratulate them on their achievements in 2023, KCNA said.
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Kim also attended a late-night concert to celebrate the New Year, KCNA added.
State media reported Saturday that Kim's New Year's resolution was to develop more nuclear material and launch three more military satellites in 2024.
Kim Jong Un says: “If Washington makes a wrong decision,” launching an ICBM turns out to be the best option
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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un watches the launch of a Hwasong-18 ICBM during an exercise that North Korea says is being conducted at an undisclosed location, Dec. 18, 2023. (Korean Central News Agency/Portal)
North Korea's ultimate goal is to have an “overwhelming war response capability,” Kim said.
North Korea has worked intensively over the past year to increase cooperation with its regional allies Russia and the People's Republic of China.
Kim has been in contact with both Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin – to meet the latter in person, the supreme leader took a rare trip out of the country by train.
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KIM JONG UN PERSONALLY OVERSEEED THE LAUNCH OF North Korea's most powerful ICBM to date
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (left) meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in September. (Vladimir Smirnov/Pool/AFP via Getty Images/File)
The Central Committee of the North Korean Workers' Party met in Pyongyang last week for a multi-day plenary session to discuss policies for the new year.
While North Korea's Supreme Leader was traditionally expected to deliver a speech to the people on New Year's Day, Kim has been delivering the annual summary speech at Workers' Party meetings since 2020.
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North Korea has escalated its aggression throughout 2023, firing ballistic missiles into the sea around Japan and threatening retaliation against U.S. military exercises.
Anders Hagstrom of Fox News and Portal contributed to this report.