North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Monday called for a “rapid expansion of nuclearization” and denounced regular military exercises by South Korea and the US as a clear display of “most hostile and confrontational” intent toward Pyongyang.

Kim Jong-un has condemned South Korean-US military drills while touring his most advanced warship fitted with nuclear-capable systems. North Korea's leader vowed a rapid expansion of his nuclear forces to counter rivals, state media reported on Tuesday (August 19).