North Korea vows 'total destruction' on war anniversary

Senior military officials including Army Colonel Ri Un Ryong and Navy Lieutenant Commander Yu Kyong Song made the comments "out of surging hatred" towards the US and South Korea at a meeting on Saturday attended by Kim to celebrate the 71st Korean War armistice anniversary, according to KCNA.

North Korea and the United States do not have diplomatic ties and talks over reducing tensions and denuclearising North Korea have been stalled since 2019. North Korea's state media recently said it doesn't expect that to change no matter who is next elected in the White House.

While accusing the US and South Korea of "being hell-bent on provoking a nuclear war," the military officials vowed to strengthen war efficiency to stage an "overwhelming attack on the enemy anytime and without delay and totally destroy them once the respected Supreme Commander Kim Jong-un gives an order."

North Korea signed an armistice agreement with the United States and China on July 27, 1953 ending hostilities in the three-year war. US generals signed the agreement representing the United Nations forces that backed South Korea.

North Korea calls July 27 "Victory Day" while South Korea does not mark the day with any major events.

Hostilities ended with a truce, not a treaty, meaning the two sides are still technically at war.

Meanwhile, Kim visited a cemetery outside the country's capital of Pyongyang to mark the anniversary.

Kim said it was his generation's mission to build a "paradise for the people" based on the ideology defended by a previous generation of victors during the war.

The 40-year-old leader visited memorials honouring the veterans of the 1950-53 war, including the Tower of Friendship remembering the Chinese People's Liberation Army soldiers who fought with the North Koreans.

The event took place on Friday, but North Korean state media often report the news the day after it happens.

Agencies

Australian Associated Press