N Korean leader says Korean Peninsula inching closer to armed conflict

SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for perfecting the military's readiness posture, saying the Korean Peninsula is "inching closer to the brink of armed conflict" and a potential clash looming at any moment, state media reported Monday.

Kim made the remark during a meeting with major commanding officers of the Korean People's Army at the office building of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party on Sunday, Yonhap news agency cited the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

During the meeting, Kim analysed in detail "the critical security environment on the Korean peninsula inching closer to the brink of armed conflict as the days go by and the nature of the United States and other hostile forces' military confrontation moves," the KCNA said.

"He said that the situation indicates the urgency to further sharpen the treasured sword for safeguarding the security and peace of the DPRK and perfect the army's regular military response posture," the KCNA said, referring to the acronym for the North's official name.

Kim also said it is a fait accompli that an "armed conflict may occur any time."

"If the enemy opt for military confrontation and provocation against the DPRK, our army should deal a deadly blow to thoroughly annihilate them by mobilising all the toughest means and potentialities without moment's hesitation," he said.

-- BERNAMA