| North Koreaâs defence chief urged soldiers on Thursday to step up combat preparations, denouncing the United States for plotting an attack on the communist country. The order was contained in a speech made by Defence Minister Kim Il-Chol to mark the 10th anniversary of the death of former North Korean president Kim Il-Sung. âThe service-persons will increase the combat capability and step up the combat preparations in every way under the uplifted slogan of a-match-for-a hundred (a soldier capable of beating 100 enemy soldiers) to defend as firm as an iron wall the socialist motherland,â he said. The defence minister accused Washington of stepping up âpreparations for a war of aggression behind the curtain of the six-party talks.â North Korea is ready to mobilise its âmilitary deterrent force built up for years ... and accomplish the historic cause of national reunification without fail,â he said. North Korea regularly accuses the United States of plotting a surprise attack on the Stalinist state. |