North Korea to launch 3 new satellites in 2024, as Kim warns war inevitable

North Korea has said it will launch three more military spy satellites, build military drones and boost its nuclear arsenal in 2024, continuing a military modernisation programme that saw a record number of weapons tests this year.

Pyongyang put a spy satellite into orbit in November at its third attempt and this month, again launched its most powerful intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which is seen as having the range to deliver a nuclear warhead to anywhere in the United States.

Kim Jong Un said the country in 2024 will lay a foundation for producing nuclear weapons in an increasingly large quantity in the future. He said contemporary warfighting also requires production of all kinds of drones and electronic warfare systems.

The North Korean leader called for a "second revolution in shipbuilding" and building a bigger fleet of submarines and surface warships.