A photo released on October 23 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspecting a strategic missile base, without specifying the time of the visit. During the visit, the leader inspected the strategic deterrence readiness, which is directly related to national security, including the functions and capabilities of missile launching facilities at the bases as well as combat missions of strategic missiles. (Source: KCNA)

North Korea said on November 2 that it has no choice but to continue efforts to strengthen its self-defense capabilities and accused the United States and South Korea of ​​pushing the Korean Peninsula into war scenarios.

According to the Korean Central News Agency ( KCNA ), an unnamed spokesman for the North Korean Foreign Ministry announced: "The DPRK will continue to step up practical efforts to deter military threats from hostile forces and maintain the balance of power in the region."

In a separate statement, Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, condemned the UN secretary-general's recent criticism of the country's intercontinental ballistic missile launch, saying the weapons test was for "self-defense."

Previously, on November 1, during a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Moscow, North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui accused the US and South Korea of ​​plotting a nuclear attack on North Korea.

However, Foreign Minister Choe did not provide evidence for her accusations, only referring to regular consultations between Washington and Seoul, where she said such plots took place.

Warning that the situation on the Korean peninsula could "explode" at any moment, Ms. Choe told Mr. Lavrov that Pyongyang needed to strengthen its nuclear arsenal and perfect its readiness to launch a retaliatory nuclear attack if necessary.

On October 31, Pyongyang successfully launched a new generation intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) Hwasong-19.

According to KCNA , the missile was launched from the Pyongyang area, flying at an altitude of 7,687.5 km and traveling 1,001.2 km in 5,156 seconds - the longest flight time ever for a North Korean missile.