This picture taken on March 6, 2024 and released by the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on March 7, 2024 shows the leader Kim Jong-un (center) inspecting a major operational training base in the western area of the Korean People's Army at an undisclosed location in the DPRK. (PHOTO / AFP)

SEOUL – The top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has instructed the country's armed forces to ramp up actual-war drills and war preparations, the official Korean Central News Agency reported on Thursday.

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Kim Jong-un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, made the instruction during a visit to a major operational training base in the western area of the Korean People's Army on Wednesday, according to the KCNA report.

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During the visit to inspect training facilities and guide actual maneuvers, Kim called on the military units to intensify practical actual-war drills to ensure victory in a war, the report said.

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He stressed the need for the military units at all levels to intensify war preparations in line with the requirements of the prevailing situation in order to "contain the constant threat of the enemies with overwhelming force”, the report added.