Kim Jong Un: Time for North Korea to be ready for war

(Patria) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said the unstable geopolitical situation around his country means it is time to be more ready for war than ever, as he inspected the country's main military university this morning, the KCNA news agency reported, as carried by Reuters.

Kim gave on-site instructions on Wednesday at the Kim Jong Il University of Politics and Military Affairs, named after his father who died in 2011, which KCNA says is the "highest seat of military education" in the country.

North Korea has intensified its weapons development in recent years under Kim and has established closer military and political ties with Russia, allegedly helping Moscow in its war with Ukraine in exchange for assistance in strategic military projects.

"Confirming that if the enemy chooses military confrontation with the DPRK, the DPRK will strike a fatal blow to the enemy without hesitation by mobilizing all means in its possession," Kim told university staff and students, KCNA reported.

DPRK is an abbreviation for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, which is the official name of the country.

"Outlining the complicated international situation... and the uncertain and unstable military and political situation surrounding the DPRK, he said it is now time to prepare more thoroughly for war than ever before," KCNA reported.

Earlier this month, Kim oversaw the test launch of a new solid-fuel mid-range hypersonic ballistic missile, which analysts said would enhance the country's ability to deploy missiles more effectively than liquid-fuel variants.

North Korea has accused the United States and South Korea of provoking military tensions by conducting what it called "war maneuvers," as the allies have conducted military exercises with greater intensity and scale in recent months.