North Korea warns of preemptive use of nuclear force
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Pyongyang aims to frustrate all attempts of breaching its sovereignty.
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A North Korean military parade showcasing the country's military arsenal.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reiterates his warning that North Korea could "preemptively" use nuclear weaponry to counter hostile forces, according to state media on Saturday.
In order to "maintain absolute superiority" of North Korea's armed forces, according to Kim, Pyongyang should be able to "preemptively and thoroughly contain and frustrate all dangerous attempts and threatening moves... if necessary," according to the KCNA news agency.
Read more: North Korea: We oppose war, but will retaliate with nukes if attacked
Furthermore, North Korea, according to Kim, should continue to build power so the country can have "overwhelming military muscle that no force in the world can provoke," calling it the "lifeline guaranteeing the security of our country".
Similar remarks were made on Monday, praising the parade which celebrated the 90th anniversary of the country's army, showing off its intercontinental ballistic missiles.
North Korea has been able to downplay sanctions and double down the modernization of its army. Pyongyang has tested a number of weapons this year. Last month, it tested its largest intercontinental ballistic missile yet; testing it at full-range for the first time since 2017.
The testing comes at a time when South Korea is expecting a new president soon - Yoon Suk-yeol - more conservative than the last, and also has not ruled out a preemptive strike if necessary.
