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N. Korea's Kim threatens S. Korea

China's state television shows footage of Kim Jong-un saluting his father North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il's body during a state funeral in Pyongyang December 28, 2011. UPI/Stephen Shaver
China's state television shows footage of Kim Jong-un saluting his father North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il's body during a state funeral in Pyongyang December 28, 2011. UPI/Stephen Shaver | License Photo

PYONGYANG, North Korea, March 10 (UPI) -- North Korea said Saturday Kim Jong-un inspected Navy units in the West Sea of Korea as the country made fresh threats against South Korea.

The Korean Central News Agency said Kim accompanied military commanders on a defense unit on Cho Islet, about 43 miles west of Pyongyang before visiting a navy unit, South Korea's Yonhap News reported.

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In an English language report, KCNA said: "Saying that Cho Islet is a gate to the West Sea and Pyongyang is behind the islet, [Kim] instructed the service personnel of the defense unit to consolidate the combat positions as firm as a rock."

Yonhap said the inspection followed by days South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin's rare trip to Yeonpyeong Island, where he promised strong retaliation if provoked again by North Korea.

Two South Korean marines and two civilians were killed in November 2010 when the North shelled the front-line island of Yeonypyeong.

Kim has toured the heavily armed border with the South and visited military units.

KCNA said the leader, believed to be in his late 20s, "instructed the service personnel to step up combat preparations, always aware that their positions allow no retreat and there is no place to retreat even an inch there, and thus mercilessly wipe out the aggressors should they come in attack."

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He made the comment a day after South Korea and the United States completed a 12-day annual joint military exercise.

North Korea had made threats of war before and during the exercise last month, asserting the South and the United States were preparing for an invasion.

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