SEOUL - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un told the country’s military commanders that the most powerful means must be mobilised to destroy the United States and South Korea if they choose military confrontation, state media reported on Jan 1.

He said the danger of an armed confrontation on the Korean peninsula is fast becoming a reality because of hostile manoeuvres by the “enemies”, including the US, requiring the country to “sharpen the sword” to protect itself.

“If they choose military confrontation and set the fire, we must mobilise all the most powerful means... to deal a crushing blow and completely destroy them,” KCNA state news agency quoted him as saying.

Mr Kim hosted senior military leaders on Dec 31 at the ruling Workers’ Party headquarters to congratulate them on their accomplishments in 2023, KCNA said.

North Korea in 2023 tested its largest ballistic missiles and also launched its first military reconnaissance satellite, which Mr Kim has called “major advances” in modernising the country’s military.

The call to upgrade the country’s military readiness follows the pledge made at the conclusion of a five-day Workers’ Party meeting that ended on Dec 30 to boost its nuclear arsenal, build military drones and launch three new spy satellites in 2024.

The escalation of rhetoric from Mr Kim comes as the US increased drills with South Korea in the past year, deploying more strategic military assets, including a nuclear missile submarine, aircraft carriers and large bombers.

It also comes ahead of a year that will see pivotal elections in both South Korea and the US, which Pyongyang likely sees as an opportunity to increase its leverage by stepping up a campaign of military pressure.

On Jan 1, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol pledged to accelerate work to complete a missile defence system and a system using US extended deterrence to “fundamentally deter any North Korean nuclear and missile threat”.

Extended deterrence refers to the strategy of using US military assets, including nuclear weapons, to deter and, in the event of an attack against an ally, respond.

In separate reports, KCNA said Mr Kim hosted a reception for senior members of the ruling party and attended a late night concert celebrating the New Year.

The show featured ice skaters, acrobats and choirs, and fireworks lit up the sky at midnight as the venue filled “with great happiness and boundless excitement of seeing in the New Year with the benevolent father of the great socialist family”. REUTERS