This picture taken on July 27, 2022 and released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on July 28 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (C) delivering a speech at the 69th anniversary of the victory in the Korean War in Pyongyang. (Photo by KCNA VIA KNS / AFP) / - South Korea OUT / ---EDITORS NOTE--- RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO/KCNA VIA KNS" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS THIS PICTURE WAS MADE AVAILABLE BY A THIRD PARTY. AFP CAN NOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, LOCATION, DATE AND CONTENT OF THIS IMAGE. /

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has confirmed his readiness to mobilize nuclear deterrence. “I make it clear once again that North Korea is ready for any military confrontation with the United States,” Kim said Thursday at an event marking the 69th anniversary of the July 27 Korean ceasefire, through which North and South Korea are still formally divided are at war.

Any attempt by South Korea to preventively weaken the north will also be answered with a strict answer and “annihilation”.

It is estimated that North Korea is in possession of 20 nuclear warheads. The otherwise poor country has pushed ahead with its nuclear program in recent years.