North Korea must be ready to launch nuclear counter strikes at any time to deter war, state media quoted leader Kim Jong Un as saying on Monday, as he accused the United States and South Korea of expanding joint military drills near the country's doorstep.

Kim Jong-un led two days of military drills “simulating a nuclear counter-attack” on South Korea, according to North Korea’s state-run news agency KCNA. The weekend exercises included the firing of a ballistic missile carrying a mock nuclear warhead.

Little is known about Kim Ju Ae, but recent appearances with dad Kim Jong Un fueled questions about whether she may be the next to lead North Korea.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, accompanied by his daughter, personally oversaw the recent test-firing of the country's most powerful intercontinental ballistic missile, state media images showed Friday.

STORY: Kim Jong Un has called North Korea to stand ready to conduct nuclear attacks at any time to deter war.In Monday comments carried by state media, he accused the U.S. and its ally South Korea of expanding joint military drills involving American nuclear assets.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un led drills "simulating a nuclear counterattack" over the weekend in response to military drills carried out by the U.S. and South Korea over the South Korea Peninsula.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un watches fire assault drill, at an undisclosed location in North Korea March 10, 2023 in this photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). KCNA vi