North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un has vowed that the Korean peninsula would be engulfed by nuclear disaster if war breaks out there again.
Kim warned on Wednesday that the US and South Korea would not be safe in the event of a conflict, as he said the countries' joint military training exercises could escalate to a full-scale war.
"If the war breaks out again in this land, it will bring about a massive nuclear disaster and the US will never be safe," Kim said in his New Year message, broadcast on state TV.
"We are faced with a dangerous situation in which a small, accidental military clash can lead to an all-out war."
Kim said he would not beg for peace and vowed to protect the impoverished but nuclear-armed North with strong self defence measures against enemies.
'Scum'
He also hailed the recent execution of his powerful uncle as a resolute action, as he labelled Jang Song-Thaek "scum."
"Our party's timely, accurate decision to purge the anti-party, anti-revolutionary elements helped greatly cement solidarity within our party," Kim said in his New Year message broadcast on state TV, as he accused Jang of trying to build his own powerbase within the ruling party.
It was the first time Kim has publicly criticised his disgraced uncle, who was executed on December 12 on charges including treason and corruption.
Jang, 67, played a key role in cementing the leadership of the inexperienced Kim Jong-Un, who took power after the death of his father and longtime ruler, Kim Jong-Il, in December 2011.
But Jang's growing political power and influence drew resentment from his nephew barely half of his age, analysts said.
Kim also said the regime would focus on agriculture and develop natural sources of energy, such as wind and solar power.
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