North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il has ordered one of his naval units to increase its combat capability, state media said Wednesday, amid heightened tensions with South Korea. Kim gave the instruction during a morale-boosting visit to a naval command, according to the Korean Central News Agency which did not disclose the date or location of the inspection.
"He set forth tasks to be fulfilled by the unit to increase its combat capability in every way, satisfied to learn that the servicepersons of the unit are carrying out their guard duties in a responsible manner," the North's official agency said. Kim reportedly praised the North's navy as "invincible" thanks to Kim Il-Sung, his late father and founding leader of the communist state.
It was his fourth military inspection to be reported in the past four days. The report came as South Koreans voted for a new parliament, with President Lee Myung-Bak's Grand National Party widely expected to win a majority.
Lee has promised a firmer line on cross-border relations, linking aid to nuclear disarmament in a move which has sparked angry rhetoric and threats from Pyongyang.
A commentary Wednesday by the communist party newspaper Rodong Sinmun warned against US attempts to include South Korea in its missile defence system. "They only escalate the military tension and further increase the danger of war on the Korean Peninsula," Rodong said. The latest flare-up began March 27, when the North kicked out South Korean officials from a joint industrial complex. The next day, it test-fired missiles and accused Seoul of breaching the sea border.
Pyongyang also reacted furiously to remarks by Seoul's chief military general which it said hinted at a pre-emptive strike on its nuclear sites. On March 30 it threatened to leave South Korea in "ashes" in response. South Korea has rejected Pyongyang's demand for an apology for the remarks and the North announced last week it would suspend dialogue.