N. Korean leader inspects military landing drill

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspected a military landing drill, warning against any provocations in the southwestern sea border with South Korea, the North's state news wire said Saturday.

Kim guided the landing drill by the Korean People's Army's ground, naval, air and anti-air forces on an island, which involved combatants, combat ships, bombers and transport planes, the state-run Korean Central News Agency said in an English-language dispatch without disclosing the date of the inspection.

During the military guidance, Kim said that "the inviolable waters on the southwestern front of the country are exposed to frequent threat due to a handful of enemies," the KCNA reported, presumably referring to South Korean Navy's shooting drills conducted near the area on June 25-26.

"He strongly warned that should the enemies repeat the wrong choice on the wrong day in the hotspot waters, he would make them regret bitterly for their action," the KCNA noted.

After watching the drill end in success, Kim ordered further strengthening of the military saying that "History proves that it is impossible to protect the destiny of the country and its people unless the army is bolstered up," according to the news agency.

Many military leaders accompanied Kim at the drill, including Hwang Pyong-so, the military's top political officer, as well as Army Gen. Ri Yong-gil, the KCNA added.

The military inspection, apparently aimed at displaying its military might, came amid heightened tensions between the two Koreas.

In a rare conciliatory gesture on June 30, the North proposed that the two Koreas halt military hostilities, including the joint Seoul-Washington military drill Ulchi Freedom Guardian planned for later this year.

The North has since repeated the suggestion, although it was rejected by Seoul on the following day, which cited lack of sincerity. (Yonhap)