Get ready for nuclear war, Kim Jong-un tells generals

KIM JONG-UN has ordered his military chiefs to draw up plans for nuclear strikes on South Korea as he said a war could break out at “any time”.

Wrapping up five days of meetings with party leaders, the North Korean dictator accused the US of driving the region to the “brink of nuclear war”.

Kim, whose speech was cheered, according to state news media, pledged to boost Pyongyang’s nuclear arsenal and build three new spy satellites.

He blamed US deployment of a nuclear-armed submarine to South Korea and increased joint military exercises for soaring tensions. Washington stepped up its military presence following North Korea’s December missile tests that included the launch of its first spy satellite and most advanced intercontinental ballistic missile.

Military leaders were told to plan to “pacify the entire territory of South Korea”, using nuclear weapons if necessary. Analysts said Kim’s hardline rhetoric was partly a negotiating tactic ahead of elections in the US and South Korea.

South Korea’s military yesterday warned Kim his nation would be “doomed” if it used a nuclear weapon against Seoul. President Joe Biden’s administration says it is open to talks, but imposed further sanctions as North Korea pushed ahead with missile tests which are banned under UN sanctions.

“Pyongyang might be waiting out the US presidential election to see what its provocations can buy it with the next administration,” said Leif-eric Easley, a professor at Ewha university, in Seoul.

“Although North Korea has no intention of giving up nuclear weapons, it might try to extract payment for acting like a so-called responsible nuclear power,” he added.