North Korea has vowed to “totally destroy” its enemies in case of war when leader Kim Jong-un gives an order, state media KCNA reported on Sunday, as the regime marked the end of hostilities in the Korean war.

Senior military officials including Col Ri Un-ryong and Lt Cdr Yu Kyong-song made the comments “out of surging hatred” towards the US and South Korea at a meeting on Saturday attended by Kim, marking the 71st anniversary of the Korean war armistice, according to KCNA.

North Korea and the US do not have diplomatic ties and talks over reducing tensions and denuclearising North Korea have been stalled since 2019. North Korea’s state media recently said it does not expect that to change no matter who is next elected in the White House.

Accusing the US and South Korea of “being hellbent on provoking a nuclear war”, the military officials vowed to strengthen war efficiency to stage an “overwhelming attack on the enemy anytime and without delay and totally destroy them once the respected supreme commander Kim Jong-un gives an order”.

North Korea signed an armistice agreement with the US and China on 27 July 1953, ending hostilities in the three-year war. US generals signed the agreement representing the UN forces that backed South Korea.

North Korea calls it “victory day” while South Korea does not mark the day with any major events. Hostilities ended with a truce, not a treaty, meaning the two sides are still technically at war.