Kim orders nuclear-backed war plans as N. Korea labels South “enemy state”

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has issued an order calling for full war preparations against South Korea, including the use of nuclear weapons. The order, delivered to officials in North Pyongan province on Oct. 23, instructs the nation to prepare for a possible occupation of South Korea using “all means of attack” at its disposal.

According to a source in the province recently, the order appeared aimed at promoting internal unity by raising the atmosphere of tension and strengthening the country’s war footing by emphasizing, at least domestically, that North Korea has gone beyond simple self-defense and is preparing for offensive military action to occupy South Korea.

In the order, North Korea designated South Korea as an enemy state “both legally and physically” and explicitly said that if South Korea attempts to violate the North’s sovereignty, Pyongyang would mercilessly respond by mobilizing all military means at its disposal, including nuclear weapons, the source said.

The order also called on all munitions factories and related industries to speed up their national tasks to strengthen the nation’s nuclear arsenal, and urged the entire party, military and people to prepare for war with the determination to resist South Korea to the death with irresistible force.

In the order, North Korea also strongly warned against skeptical attitudes when it comes to demanding thorough responses to South Korea’s violations of the North’s sovereignty.

“The order warned against people taking advantage of the political tension to spread nonsense and groundless rumors or saying things that could create mistrust in the Korean People’s Army, such as asking what the military was doing before the drones appeared over Pyongyang,” the source said. “The aim is to stop the speculations and rumors that have surfaced everywhere about the recent infiltration of drones over Pyongyang and tighten control.

“The order emphasized that officials must thoroughly block the enemy from creating internal divisions and mercilessly crush phenomena that harm the one-hearted unity of the party and revolutionary ranks. It ordered all party members and officials to conduct their work and life as if it were a battle, always thinking of war preparations for the occupation of South Korea.”

In North Pyongan province, fear has been spreading since the order was received. People are expressing concern that this time the party may actually be considering war.

“As the public learns what was in Kim’s order given to officials above the rank of department head, people are expressing concern and fear that a war with South Korea may be imminent and that it feels like the party is out to start a war,” the source said.

Daily NK works with a network of sources in North Korea, China, and elsewhere. For security reasons, their identities remain anonymous.

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