SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has warned the South Korean government and its "military gangsters" that any "dangerous endeavour," such as a pre-emptive strike, will result in annihilation, Pyongyang's state media reported.

Kim gave a forceful, direct warning to the South's conservative leadership, and condemnation of the US, in his speech marking the 69th anniversary of the armistice that ended the 1950-53 Korean War on Wednesday, media reported. 

Pyongyang refers to the anniversary as "Victory Day."  According to the state media report, Kim mentioned South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol three times in his speech and referred to the South Korean military as gangsters, citing the South's stated strategy to counter the North's nuclear and missile threats through the reinforcement of the so-called three-pillar system, which includes the Kill Chain pre-emptive strike capabilities.

"Such a reckless endeavour would be quickly punished by great forces, and the Yoon Seok-yeol administration and his military would be wiped out," he said as he appeared in public for the first time in 19 days with his wife Ri Sol-ju for the Pyongyang ceremony.

Referring to Yoon just by name and without the official title of president, Kim stated that Pyongyang clearly remembers all of his "absurd utterances" and is also keeping track of the "South Korean military gangsters'" latest antics.  He went on to say that the North will no longer accept their behaviour and that they will pay the price if it continues.

It was Kim's first formal reaction to the Yoon administration, which took over for the liberal Moon Jae-in administration in May. Kim also said that his administration is "completely prepared" for any military conflict with the US, despite his criticism of the US's joint military exercises with the South.

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