International

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warned that his military is ready for “full mobilization” to “completely annihilate” the country’s enemies if provoked, according to state media on Thursday, a day after parliamentary elections in South Korea.

The remarks came during a visit to the Kim Jong Il University of Military and Politics the previous day. Photos showed the leader inspecting a large replica of Seoul and maps of U.S.-ROK airbases in South Korea, sending an implicit message about the DPRK’s military readiness to newly elected ROK lawmakers.

He called for renovating the campus, which was only built 10 years ago, and said it is the “highest institute of military education” in the country, according to the Rodong Sinmun. The report said Kim inspected how the university trains military officers in modern war strategies as well as strategies of the enemies, while calling for “scientifically innovating the educational structure” to align with “modern warfare.”