PYONGYANG, North Korea: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has said the time has come to declare South Korea as the most hostile state towards his country, state media KCNA reported on Wednesday.
He also accused Seoul of provoking confrontation and weapons build-up while urging his nation to step up its military capabilities for self-defense and its nuclear war deterrent.
According to the KCNA, he made the remarks during a visit to munitions factories earlier this week.
The North Korean leader called the worsening ties between the two Koreas as unavoidable reality and new phase of change.
He added that his country would by no means unilaterally bring a great event by the overwhelming strength in the Korean peninsula. However, he said North Korea had no intention of avoiding a war as well.
Kim during a year-end party meeting last month, said peaceful reunification between the two Koreas is impossible. He said the government would make a decisive policy change in ties with South Korea.
READ ALSO: Gaza Death Toll Hits 23,210 as Israel Continues Relentless Strikes
Earlier, the US national security spokesperson John Kirby had said that North Korea recently provided ballistic missiles and launchers to Russia to be used in war against Ukraine.
He added the United States will raise the matter with the United Nations Security Council. The United Kingdom also condemned Russia’s decision to use North Korean ballistic missiles in recent attacks against Ukraine.
Despite the US allegations both Moscow and Pyongyang deny the weapons supply deal.
