Now is the time to be more prepared for war than ever: North Korea's Kim Jong Un

North Korea's Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un said on Wednesday (Apr 10) that unstable geopolitical situations surrounding the country meant now was the time to be more prepared for war than ever. Kim made this remark as he inspected the Kim Jong Il University of Military and Politics. According to a report by the news agency KCNA, the university is the "highest seat of military education" in the country.

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Kim told the university staff that if the enemy opted for a military confrontation with North Korea, the country would deal a death blow to the enemy without hesitation by mobilising all means in its possession.

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"Outlining the complicated international situation ... and the uncertain and unstable military and political situation around the DPRK, he said that now is the time to be more thoroughly prepared for a war than ever before," state media quoted Kim onThursday.

North Korea test-fires new hypersonic missile

Kim's remarks came as North Korea successfully fired a new hypersonic missile on Tuesday- the latest step in a plan aimed at using solid fuel to power missiles of all ranges. Overseeing the launch of the Hwasong-16B missile, the supreme leader called it a strategic weapon showcasing the "absolute superiority" of Pyongyang's defence technology, KCNA reported.

That would give North Korea the capacity for "rapidly, accurately and powerfully striking any target in the enemy side worldwide," he added.

Also watch |North Korea fires intermediate-range ballistic missile, Japan PM condemns launch

The missile launch drew swift condemnation from South Korea, Japan and the United States. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said that the launch probably focused on testing the missile's flight performance in the early stages of development.

But the missile exaggerated several specifications, from flight range to a delay in igniting the second-stage engine and quickly changing flight orbit.

(With inputs from agencies)