North Korea leader Kim Jong-un has ordered his military to be ready to use nuclear weapons “at any time”, according to state media.

The dictator reportedly said the country should be willing to engage in a nuclear attack on a “pre-emptive basis” amid growing threats from enemies, according to news service KCNA.

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Mr Jong-un allegedly made the statements after supervising a practise for new multiple rocket launchers.

Just days ago, North Korea shot a number of short-fire missiles off its east coast, while in January the nation claimed it had successfully tested a hydrogen bomb.

The test was said to relate to what North Korea perceived as a “growing threat’ from the US, although experts were doubtful the bomb was actually a hydrogen bomb.

More to come.