DPRK leader Kim Jong-un has affirmed that Pyongyang intends to "annihilate" South Korea should its army violate the DPRK's sovereignty. 

"If the ROK dares attempt to use armed forces against the DPRK or threaten its sovereignty and security and such opportunity comes, we will have no hesitation in annihilating the ROK by mobilizing all means and forces in our hands," Kim said.

ROK represents the Republic of Korea, the formal designation for South Korea, whereas DPRK, stands for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The division of the Korean Peninsula occurred during a conflict in the 1950s.

According to the Pyongyang-based KCNA, Kim delivered this statement while inspecting the DPRK's significant munitions factories over the last two days.

During the inspection, he vowed to "annihilate" South Korea, which is viewed as the DPRK's "principal enemy."

Kim previously referred to South Korea as a "colonial stooge" with which relations have been "tainted by Yankee culture." 

On New Year's Eve, he directed the DPRK's top commanding officers to "thoroughly annihilate" South Korea and the US in the event of a military aggression initiated by them.

Read more: DPRK warns of 'grave action without hesitation' against US hostilities

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have endured for an extended period as a result of systemic escalation on the part of Japan, the US, and South Korea.

The three nations have been conducting joint naval drills in the Korean peninsula and along the demilitarized zone, which has triggered major security concerns on the part of DPRK.

Last month, a US nuclear-powered submarine arrived in the South Korean port city of Busan, which prompted the DPRK to expedite "war preparations" in response to "extreme confrontation moves" by Washington and its allies.

Kim identified South Korea as the "state most hostile toward" North Korea, asserting that it has "pursued a history of vicious confrontation with bloodshot eyes to overthrow our government and social system for nearly 80 years."

Advocating for the enhancement of military capabilities for "self-defense and the nuclear war deterrent first of all," Kim stated, "We would by no means unilaterally bring a great event by the overwhelming strength in the Korean Peninsula, but we have no intention of avoiding a war as well."

Read more: DPRK shells maritime border; South Korea orders evacuation