Kim Jong Un Threatens South Korea, Arms Deal with Russia Condemned

North Korean leader escalates rhetoric against South Korea, while international community condemns arms transfers between North Korea and Russia.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has declared South Korea as a state 'most hostile' towards his country and has threatened to annihilate it if provoked.
Kim's threat comes as the White House and nearly 50 other countries condemn North Korea and Russia over the transfer of ballistic missiles, which have been used by Russia against Ukraine.
The US and its allies plan to raise the issue of the arms deal between Russia and North Korea at the United Nations Security Council, stating that the transfer of ballistic missiles from North Korea 'directly violates' multiple U.N. resolutions.
Kim Jong Un has also visited arms factories, emphasizing the 'strategic importance of the production of major weapons' and highlighting recent 'shortcomings' in the organization of munitions production.
Analysts suggest that Kim Jong Un is likely to further raise animosities with weapons tests to try to influence the results of South Korea’s parliamentary elections in April and the U.S. presidential election in November.