North Korean leader Kim Jong-un says the country is implementing a nuclear force construction policy to increase the number of nuclear weapons "exponentially," state media KCNA reports.
Kim gave a speech on North Korea's founding anniversary on Monday, KCNA said.
North Korea must more thoroughly prepare its "nuclear capability and its readiness to use it properly at any given time in ensuring the security rights of the state," Kim said, according to KCNA.
A strong military presence is needed to face "the various threats posed by the United States and its followers," Kim added.
Kim added that he received a letter from Russian President Vladimir Putin for North Korea's founding anniversary.
Putin said in the letter that relations with Pyongyang had reached a new level.
The Russian leader said proof was the summit he held in Pyongyang with Kim in June, at the end of which both signed a new strategic partnership treaty that calls on each other to provide assistance in the event of a military attack.
with EFE