The announcement came during an ongoing meeting of the ruling Workers' Party, where Kim outlined "militant tasks" for the military, munitions industry, nuclear weapons, and civil defense sectors.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Thursday that Kim emphasized the "extreme" military situation on the Korean peninsula due to unprecedented anti-North confrontations with the United States. The KCNA did not provide specific details about the nature of the preparations.

Recent developments include increased political and defense cooperation between South Korea, Japan, and the US in response to a series of weapons tests by North Korea. The US deployed a nuclear-powered submarine to South Korea earlier this month, and joint drills with Seoul and Tokyo featured the deployment of long-range bombers.

North Korea, in turn, successfully launched its first military spy satellite, tested the Hwasong-18, its most advanced intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), and solidified nuclear power status in the country's constitution.

Kim declared 2023 as a "year of great turn and great change," highlighting what he termed "eye-opening victories." The United Nations atomic agency recently reported the apparent operational status of a second reactor at North Korea's Yongbyon nuclear facility, deeming it "deeply regrettable."

Analysts suggest that Kim's latest directives indicate an unlikely slowdown in North Korea's weapons tests or military modernization efforts. Some believe that Kim aims to build leverage for potential diplomacy with Washington, possibly after the US presidential election scheduled for November next year. The situation is closely monitored as tensions continue to escalate on the Korean peninsula. (ILKHA)