This picture taken on Feb 8, 2024 and released by DPRK's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) via KNS on February 9 shows DPRK leader Kim Jong-un (center) visiting the Ministry of National Defence in Pyongyang to mark the 76th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Army. (KCNA VIA KNS / AFP)

SEOUL - The top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on Thursday called on its armed forces to build up military capabilities for eternal security of the state, the official Korean Central News Agency reported Friday.

Kim Jong-un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, made the requirements in a speech during his visit to the Ministry of National Defense on the occasion of the 76th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Army.

The foremost task for the DPRK is "to obtain the eternal security," to which end, the country "must possess absolute might which defies any provocation, might strong enough to control the enemy," Kim was quoted by KCNA as saying

The foremost task for the DPRK is "to obtain the eternal security," to which end, the country "must possess absolute might which defies any provocation, might strong enough to control the enemy," Kim was quoted by KCNA as saying.

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Kim said that the DPRK has designated the Republic of Korea (ROK) as "the first enemy state and invariable archenemy" and decided as a state policy to occupy and subjugate ROK territory in time of emergency, calling such moves as "an absolutely right measure for our state's eternal security and its peace and stability in the future," according to the KCNA report.

The top leader stressed that the KPA should have greater strength and prevent war and safeguard peace without failure of this invincible strength, KCNA reported.

"Peace is not something to be begged for or bartered for through negotiations," he said.

Kim also asked the KPA to be always ready for war, KCNA said.

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"If the enemy dares to have recourse to armed force against our state, we will make a bold decision to change history and enlist all the super-powerful means in our hands unhesitatingly so as to annihilate the enemy," he added.