North Korean Leader Calls for Enhanced Military Readiness

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called for the intensification of military preparedness in an "offensive manner" during a meeting of the Central Military Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, as reported by KCNA.

"He has deeply summarized and analyzed the current situation on the Korean Peninsula and its surroundings, and has drawn an important conclusion on further activating the military readiness of the Korean People's Army in an offensive manner," the report states.

Kim Jong Un emphasized the importance of preparing a "strong army" as well as the necessity to increase powerful striking means intended for deterring war, and urged further efforts to work on the operational deployment of such means in all areas of combat formation, according to the agency.

During the meeting, Army General Pak Su Il was relieved of his position as Chief of the General Staff, with Deputy Marshal Lee Yong Gil appointed to replace him, the report noted.