North Korea is prepared to mobilise nuclear forces, according to Kim Jong-un:

Increasing North Korea's defence, according to Mr. Kim, is a "important historical mission."

Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea, has stated that his country is prepared to activate its nuclear war deterrent.

Speaking at a commemoration of the Korean War, Mr. Kim also said that the nation was "totally prepared for any military confrontation" with the US, according to state news agency KCNA.

The remarks come amid worries that North Korea may be getting ready for its seventh nuclear test.

The US issued a caution about Pyongyang's potential for such a test last month.

2017 saw North Korea conduct its most recent nuclear test. On the Korean peninsula, though, tensions have been increasing.Sung Kim, the US's special envoy to North Korea, claims that the country has tested 31 missiles this year, more than double the previous record-breaking year's total of 25.

In retaliation, South Korea fired eight of its own missiles in June.

Is North Korea about to test a nuclear weapon?

What is Kim Jong-un looking for?

North Korea declares victory over the US in the 1950–1953 Korean War, despite the fact that it ended in a truce. Military parades, pyrotechnics, and dancing highlight the yearly "Victory Day" celebrations.

In his speech to commemorate the occasion, Mr. Kim stated that North Korea must complete the "urgent historical duty" of strengthening its self-defense due to nuclear threats from the US.

He noted that the US had mischaracterized North Korea's routine military drills as provocations.

Mr. Kim also seemed to respond to rumours that South Korea is reviving a strategy to counter the nuclear threat from North Korea by undertaking preventative strikes in the case of an impending attack.

Pre-emptive strikes against Pyongyang's missiles and possibly its top leadership are recommended by the so-called "Kill Chain" policy, which was first developed a decade ago.

It comes with its own dangers and might spark an arms race, according to some analysts.

Mr. Kim declared during the Victory Day celebration thaAre we "on the verge of war" with North Korea?

BBC News's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes

It's really unsettling to hear Kim Jong-Un warn that the Korean peninsula is "on the verge of war." However, North Korean rhetoric may be quite abrasive, especially around important anniversaries.

It shows how enraged the North Korean leadership is with Yoon Suk-yeol, the country's new president.

President Yoon has outlined a new, more robust defence policy since taking office in May. If Seoul feels Pyongyang is about to launch a nuclear attack on it, it would allow South Korean forces to strike the North before Pyongyang could preemptive strikes would "obliterate" Yoon Suk-government yeol's and military in South Korea.

With the use of this so-called "Kill Chain" approach, South Korea would be able to attack North Korean targets beforehand with ballistic missiles and airstrikes, including destroying their command and control centres. Attempting to kill Kim Jong-Un directly, in other terms.

Pyongyang is also dissatisfied with Washington's lack of involvement ever since President Biden took over for Donald Trump.

All of these might indicate that the North is planning an intentional escalation of the situation.

In the near future, everyone anticipates that Pyongyang will conduct its seventh underground nuclear test. The Punggye-ri test site has been getting ready since March.