Kim Jong-Un says he is ready for war
North Korea's leader claim to be ready for war in New Year's address
South Korea is speeding up its plans to create a military force tasked with eliminating Pyongyang's leadership - including Kim Jong Un - in the event of war.
KIM JONG UN HINTS AT LONG-RANGE MISSILE TEST LAUNCH
The special unit was originally supposed to be ready by 2019, but the plans are being accelerated amid a tide of aggressive rhetoric from its rival and neighbour North Korea, which has been threatening nuclear attacks on its enemies.
South Korea's defence minister Han Min-Koo said the special unit, known as the Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR) plan, would now be launched two years ahead of schedule.
DAUGHTER OF WOMAN IN SOUTH KOREA SCANDAL ARRESTED IN DENMARK
"We are planning to set up a special brigade with the goal of removing or (at least) paralysing North Korea's wartime command structure," he told acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn, according to the Yonhap news agency.
He also warned of a "strategic or tactical provocation" from the North in the coming months.
The military unit forms part of a three-pronged defence strategy which includes an anti-missile system - the Korean Air and Missile Defence (KAMD) - which would trace and shoot down missiles heading for South Korea.
There is also a "Kill Chain" pre-emptive military strike programme to counter an imminent threat.
Kim used his televised New Year's message to boast his country was in the final stages of developing a long-range missile.
In response, President-elect Donald Trump tweeted: "It won't happen."
Fox News' "Antisemitism Exposed" newsletter brings you stories on the rising anti-Jewish prejudice across the U.S. and the world.