Pyongyang: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has directed a defense build-up along the country’s southern border during a meeting with top army commanders, state-run media reported Monday. Kim convened a meeting on Sunday with division and brigade commanders from across the military to discuss key military and political tasks.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Kim emphasized the importance of reinforcing frontline units guarding the southern border and turning the area into an ‘impregnable fortress.’ He highlighted the need to modernize military structures and strengthen key units ‘militarily and technically’ to enhance war deterrence.

Kim also called for a reorganization of the military’s training system and the expansion of practical combat drills, aligning with evolving warfare trends and the rapid modernization of military technology. He urged commanders to maintain a high level of combat readiness and increase awareness of North Korea’s ‘principal enemy.’

The meeting included attendance by Ri Yong-gil, chief of the General Staff of the Korean People’s Army, and Pak Jong-chon, an adviser to the Ministry of National Defense.