Ready for WWIII? Kim Jong Warns North Korea Advancing ‘War Preparations’

Kim Jong Un, leader of North Korea, has once again urged his armed forces to prepare for potential conflict.

During his supervision of a tank exercise recently, Kim heightened tensions through his war rhetoric in what seems to be a cat-and-mouse game between North and South Korea.

According to reports from the Associated Press, Kim delivered his remarks while visiting the Seoul Ryu Kyong Su Guards 105th Tank Division, a prominent unit within North Korea's military structure.

Recent months have witnessed a rise in tensions in the Korean peninsula as North Korea conducted missile tests and military drills as demonstrations of strength against South Korea, the United States and Japan. In response, these countries have conducted joint military exercises of their own.

Photographs released by state media depicted Kim observing the tanks adorned with North Korean flags, accompanied by military officials.

Notably, one tank carried a message advocating the annihilation of perceived adversaries, particularly the "U.S. invaders." Kim, who has repeatedly voiced concerns about potential aggression from the U.S. and its allies, praised the 105th Division as a model in preparing for potential conflict.

South Korea's Defense Ministry spokesperson, Jeon Ha Gyu, emphasized their close monitoring of North Korea's actions amid rising tensions.

Meanwhile, there have been discussions about possible diplomatic engagements, including a potential meeting between North Korea and Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. However, Japan has indicated that certain conditions set by North Korea have hindered progress towards a summit.

The recent missile tests by North Korea coincided with a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to South Korea for a Summit for Democracy conference.

Pyongyang launched several short-range ballistic missiles, which landed between the Korean peninsula and Japan without causing damage or injuries, according to Prime Minister Kishida.

Never miss a story — sign up for the Front Page Detectives newsletter. Be on the scene the moment news breaks.

Japan denounced the launches as a violation of United Nations resolutions, with South Korea's military condemning them as clear provocations. The U.S. also condemned the tests, citing violations of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions.

South Korea's Defense Minister Shin Won-sik remarked during a news conference that it remained unclear whether the missiles were intended for North Korea's use or for export to Russia.

He speculated that the tests might have been final performance checks before potential exports to Russia. These missile launches followed the conclusion of joint military exercises between the U.S. and South Korea two weeks prior.