North Korean leader praises combat troops

SEOUL, June 14 (UPI) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Il has praised his troops as combat-ready amid preparations to produce more nuclear weapons, sources said Sunday.

Kim expressed "great satisfaction" after inspecting troops in the 7th infantry division, finding them ready for "combat ability in every way," the state-run North Korean Central News Agency reported Sunday.

The report of Kim's inspection came a day after North Korea vowed to weaponize more spent plutonium rods and enrich uranium to produce nuclear weapons, Yonhap news agency in South Korea reported.

Western intelligence sources have estimated North Korea has enough enriched uranium for at least six atomic bombs.

The United Nations tightened sanctions against North Korea after a nuclear test May 25. The sanctions include mandatory inspection of North Korean ships suspected of carrying weapons, drugs or counterfeit currency.

Kim has threatened to go to war if North Korea's ships are blockaded or boarded, Yonhap reported.