North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has classified South Korea as his nation's "principal enemy" and the state "most hostile" toward Pyongyang, the country's official media reported Wednesday.
Kim stated the labels during an inspection of major munitions factories on Monday and Tuesday, according to the Korean Central News Agency.
Kim said that given South Korea is the North's primary enemy, his nation will prioritize bolstering "military capabilities for self-defense and the nuclear war deterrent" in response to Seoul's posturing.
The report also quoted Kim as saying that "the historic time has come at last when we should define as a state most hostile" toward North Korea "the entity called the Republic of Korea," referring to South Korea's official name.
Kim expressed "great satisfaction over the fact that the factories have successfully carried out the plan for deploying new type weapons and equipment to the first-line large combined units and major missile units," it said.
Related coverage:
North Korea's Kim sends rare message of sympathy over Japan quake
North Korea's Kim seeks increased output of ICBM launch vehicles
North Korea's Kim calls 2024 "new heyday" of war preparations
