North Korea under ‘martial law’, troops told to ‘prepare for war’

London: North Korea has been placed under martial law and Kim Jong-un has told his troops to ‘be ready for a war,’ according to a report.

According to a report by Joongang Daily, in an emergency meeting of his top defence and security officials on Saturday, the North Korean leader issued a series of orders that included the conclusion of preparations for a new nuclear test. North Korean state media has also reported that Kim ordered his officials to take "effective, high-profile state measures”, the Telegraph reports. According to the paper, Pyongyang’s preparations have been corroborated by South Korean government officials and sources in Beijing, with surveillance images suggesting that the mouth of the shaft has been sealed in readiness for the test at the Pyunggye-ri site. North Korea conducted its first nuclear test in October 2006 and carried out a second underground detonation in May 2009. This latest test is in direct response to international criticism of its launch of a rocket in December that Pyongyang claimed was for peaceful purposes. ANI