North Korea's Kim Jong Un inspects military as U.S. holds presidential election

SEOUL, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- Kim Jong Un ordered North Korean troops to be ready for combat during their waking and sleeping hours, according to state media.

Pyongyang's state-controlled news agency KCNA reported on Wednesday, local time, the North Korean leader told each soldier to "do the work of many men" as combatants.

Kim's visit to Korean People's Army Unit 1344 is his second tour of the military in November, Yonhap reported.

Last week, Kim visited what KCNA described as a special assassination squad that trains soldiers to target South Korean politicians.

During his most recent visit, the North Korean leader reportedly expressed satisfaction regarding the level of intensive training the soldiers were receiving. Kim was briefed on the unit's combat missions as well on their preparedness for combat missions.

"In highly turbulent conditions, a readiness to fight must prevail during waking and sleeping hours, and all must wholeheartedly take part in training," Kim said.

Kim also said military training methods must be constantly improved, and according to the principles of self-reliance, practicability and science.

North Korea state media also reported Kim inspected the quality of the bunkers, checking heating conditions, water quality and generally showing interest in the welfare of the soldiers.

Kim gave binoculars and automatic guns as gifts to commemorate his visit. The North Korean leader also posed with the unit for a souvenir photograph, according to the report.

Yang Moo-jin, a South Korean analyst at the University of North Korean Studies, said the visits appear to be part of "routine military inspection" and a response to protests in South Korea and the U.S. presidential election.

North Korea has refused to give up nuclear weapons despite U.S. calls for denuclearization. Washington has also refused to talks with North Korea unless denuclearization is on the agenda.

Speaking at a symposium held at the Institute for Corean-American Studies in Washington, D.C., former U.S. State Department nuclear envoy Robert Gallucci said on Tuesday he is opposed to negotiations with North Korea that do not work toward denuclearization, South Korean news network YTN reported.

Gallucci, who recently met with North Korean officials in Malaysia, negotiated the 1994 Agreed Framework that resulted in the freeze of North Korea's nuclear program.