North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for bolstered war readiness to repel what he said were unprecedented US-led confrontational moves in comments during a key political meeting tasked with setting state objectives for 2024, state media reported on Thursday.

Kim's comments indicated once again that North Korea will likely continue weapons tests to modernize its nuclear arsenal for the time being. But observers say Kim likely hopes to eventually use his boosted arsenal as leverage in diplomacy with Washington, possibly after the US presidential election in November next year.