The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) leader Kim Jong Un has called for "diplomatic and military countermeasures" for preserving the country's sovereignty and security ahead of the impending expiry of Pyongyang's end-of-year deadline for US concessions, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Tuesday.
Kim made the remarks during a session on day three of the plenary meeting of the Central Committee of the Workers Party, according to Pyongyang's state media.
Kim urged party members to prepare "positive and offensive political, diplomatic and military countermeasures for firmly preserving the sovereignty and security of the country, intensifying the combat against anti-socialist and non-socialist acts," the KCNA said.
He made a seven-hour "comprehensive report" on the work of the CCWPK, as well as state building, economic development and building of the armed forces at the plenary meeting, the news agency said.
Kim also called on the party to step up efforts to foster its leadership ability and turn itself into a "militant party full of vitality and vigor".
The DPRK holds the third-day session of a key party meeting, December 30, 2019. /KCNA Photo
The KCNA said that a process has started to draw up the draft resolution of relevant agenda items being discussed. It added that the plenary meeting "goes on," suggesting an additional session will take place Tuesday.
The meeting came as the DPRK has claimed to take a "new way" in denuclearization talks if Washington fails to come up with an acceptable proposal before the end of this year, hinting it would otherwise end diplomacy and revert to provocative acts.
Denuclearization talks have been stalled since the second summit between Kim and US President Donald Trump ended without an agreement due to wide differences over how to match Pyongyang's denuclearization measures and Washington's sanctions relief.
The DPRK earlier warned that it is entirely up to Washington what "Christmas gift" it wanted to get, spawning speculation a major provocation might be forthcoming. The holiday passed without a test, but Washington and Seoul remain on high alert.
The US. has warned Pyongyang against provocations, saying it could lose everything and urged it to return to the negotiating table. The DPRK has not responded to the offer and said it has nothing more to lose.
In Washington, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he hopes that North Korea (DPRK) will choose "a path of peace, not confrontation" as Washington is closely watching what Kim will announce in his New Year's Day address.
(With input from Yonhap)