The leader of North Korea, Kim Jong Un, has stated that he is prepared to launch nuclear weapons in any conflict with South Korea or the United States.
The speech was made at a 69th anniversary event marking the Korean War, during which he demonised the US and what he regards as their puppet state, South Korea.
He said in the fiery speech:
"Our armed forces are completely prepared to respond to any crisis, and our country's nuclear war deterrent is also ready to mobilize its absolute power dutifully, exactly and swiftly in accordance with its mission. Talking about military action against our nation, which possesses absolute weapons that they fear the most, is preposterous and is very dangerous suicidal action. Such a dangerous attempt will be immediately punished by our powerful strength and the Yoon Suk Yeol government and his military will be annihilated."
During the speech the dictator also accused the new South Korean government under President Yoon Suk Yeol, accusing them of being led by 'maniacs' and 'gangsters'.
Experts believe it is unlikely that North Korea would launch nuclear weapons without direct provocation, but fears exist that the North Korean leadership could enact war if they felt they were losing their grip on power.
North Korea has tested several nuclear missiles in the past and now have the capability of launching weapons several thousand kilometres, though their exact abilities remain unclear.
Leif-Eric Easley, a Professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said of the speech:
"Kim's rhetoric inflates external threats to justify his militarily focused and economically struggling regime. North Korea's nuclear and missile programs are in violation of international law, but Kim tries to depict his destabilizing arms build-up as a righteous effort at self-defence."
Little information has left North Korea since the country became even more isolated during the Covid-19 pandemic, though unconfirmed reports suggest there have been a large number of deaths and that famine may well exist within the hermit kingdom as global food supplies diminish. North Korea relies on Chinese aid to feed many of its own citizens.
[Based on reporting by: Yahoo]
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