The North Korean leader issued the rounds of threats while blasting Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, branding him a “headless chicken” and “suicidal”.
Pyongyang released the comments on its state media today in retaliation for the Japanese prime minister’s speech at the UN in which he called for tougher sanctions against the North.
Tensions have risen on the Korean peninsula since the hermit kingdom conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test on September 3.
This led to a new round of sanctions after a unanimous vote by the UN Security Council.
Mr Abe used his speech at the UN last month to call on member states to block North Korea’s access to “goods, funds people and technology” if it continued to test nuclear weapons.
This sparked fury from Kim, who blasted back: “Japan’s such rackets inciting the tension of the Korean peninsula is a suicidal deed that will bring nuclear clouds to the Japanese archipelago.
“No one knows when the touch-and-go situation will lead to a nuclear war, but if so, the Japanese archipelago will be engulfed in flames in a moment. This is too self-evident.”
Japan’s Defence Minister warned Kim may carry out another missile test on October 10, as the start of the election campaign coincides with the founding of North Korea’s Communist Party.
Mr Onodera, said: ”I understand it is an important anniversary for North Korea. We would like to maintain a sense of urgency.”
His warning echoed a comment by South Korean national security adviser Chung Eui-yong.
He said during a meeting with President Moon Jae-in he expected Pyongyang to act around October 10 and 18, but gave no details.
China, North Korea’s main ally and trading partner, has insisted dialogue is the only way to resolve the crisis, although Japan has tended to support Washington’s more robust approach.
Mr Abe has said now is the time to apply pressure on North Korea, rather than dialogue, in order to convince Kim to end its nuclear and missile programmes.
US President Donald Trump has continually traded insults with the North Korean leaders, raising the stakes even further.