Seoul, Oct 5 (NationPress) North Korea has commenced its annual defence exhibition for the third year in a row, with leader Kim Jong-un characterizing it as “the results” of the nation’s efforts to modernize and enhance its military capabilities, as reported by state media on Sunday.

The Defence Development-2025 opened in Pyongyang the day before, according to a report from Yonhap, citing the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

In his speech at the event, Kim promoted it as the “recent results of the important projects ... to put the structure of the DPRK's military capabilities, with its nuclear deterrent as the backbone, on an increasingly modern, advanced footing.”

DPRK refers to North Korea's official designation, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Kim accused South Korea and the United States of conducting various drills based on nuclear operation scenarios and of expanding defense assets in South Korea and the wider region.

“We are closely watching the US' deployment of its means of strategic strike and reconnaissance ... and the mobilization for hostile acts in connection with a new possible threat to our state's security,” the North Korean leader stated.

He mentioned that North Korea has also taken “clear measures” to address these concerns, adding that they have assigned corresponding “special assets” to “the major targets of our concern.”

“They themselves should have to judge whether the territory of the ROK would be a safe place in any case,” he warned, referring to South Korea by its official name, the Republic of Korea.

In reaction, South Korea's presidential office urged Pyongyang to seek dialogue and cooperation.

“We hope North Korea will engage in dialogue and cooperation for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and within the international community,” the presidential office stated.

On October 2, South Korea's military indicated that North Korea seems to be preparing for a large-scale military parade, potentially at night, to commemorate next week’s significant party anniversary.

The North is poised to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea on October 10. North Korea has historically conducted military parades on party anniversaries that end in zero or five.

“There are signs of North Korea preparing for a military parade involving tens of thousands of people, which our military is closely monitoring,” stated Col. Lee Sung-jun, spokesperson for the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), during a routine press briefing.

Lee noted that military movements and some equipment have been detected, but further details were not disclosed.

The JCS official added that the North may carry out a nighttime military parade, but it remains uncertain whether the event will occur just before midnight or earlier.