Pyongyang: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for intensified "war preparedness" and heightened readiness across all military units, during his supervision of air and defense drills carried out by the country's First Air Division.
According to Qatar News Agency, Kim's remarks were reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) amid a flurry of military activities throughout May. These activities included overseeing a missile test, inspecting tank and ammunition factories, and leading live-fire exercises involving tank units and special forces.
Meanwhile, North Korea criticized the US State Department's decision to relist it as a country "not fully cooperating" in counterterrorism efforts, denouncing the move as a provocation. Pyongyang warned of "appropriate and effective measures" in response to what it described as escalating American hostility.