World War 3: North Korea preparing for BATTLE as Kim Jong-un declares ‘quasi-war status’

But citizens of the hermit state are said to be confused by the dictator’s order as no further instructions have been issued by the regime since the announcement. 

According to Pyongyang’s own security levels, ‘quasi-war’ status is just one step below ‘state of war’ and requires all civilians to take special measures in preparation for conflict.

They include producing war materials and moving into shelters in case of a nuclear attack. 

But a week after Kim announced the security status, life has reportedly continued as normal in the secretive country.

One source in Ryanggang Province told Seol-based news website Daily NK: “People were confused because even though the Supreme Commander declared a ‘quasi-war status’ early last week, no specific training took place. 

“So some residents assumed that a major provocation was at hand.

“Even though residents were instructed to stay where they are and be alert at all times at the ‘inminban’ [North Korea’s equivalent to a Neighbourhood Watch] meeting after the quasi-war status was declared, nothing unusual occurred.” 

Despot Kim drew condemnation from all over the world after conducting North Korea’s sixth and biggest nuclear test on September 3.

Upgrading the country’s security threat could be seen as an awareness by Kim that he is pushing the world ever closer to all-out war.

Equally, experts suggest the measure would also quell any public agitation at the leader’s obsessive pursuit of nuclear capabilities, by creating a fresh sense of outside threat. 

The UN Security Council was set to decide on a watered-down US-drafted resolution to impose new measures on North Korea over its latest nuclear test.

Donald Trump’s administration pushed to impose even tougher sanctions on Pyongyang following the firing of a ballistic missile over mainland Japan followed by the hydrogen bomb test.

Pyongyang has since warned the United States it would pay a “due price” if it succeeded in placing new embargoes on trade.

A spokesman for the North Korean Foreign Ministry claimed the US was “going frantic” to manipulate the Security Council following the escalation of North Korea’s weapons programme.

He said: “In case the US eventually does rig up the illegal and unlawful ‘resolution’ on harsher sanctions, the DPRK shall make absolutely sure that the US pays due price.”