PYONGYANG: North Korea has given a warning to the United States not to partake in any provocative action in the region, saying that it was “ready to hit back with nuclear attacks”. The comments came as North Korea marked the 105th anniversary of the birth of its founding president, Kim Il-sung. The day saw soldiers, tanks, and other military hardware being paraded in the capital of North Korea as a show of strength. The comments come amidst speculation that Kim Jong-un could order another nuclear test. North Korean military official Choe Ryong-Hae said, “We’re prepared to respond to an all-out war with an all-out war,” adding, “We are ready to hit back with nuclear attacks of our own style against any nuclear attacks.” North Korea staged a strong display of military power at Saturday’s parade in the wake of concerns that mounting tensions in the region could lead to a conflict with the United States. Rows of military bands and columns of troops marched into Pyongyang’s main Kim Il-sung square in the heart of the city. The North Korean armed forces put on display for the first time submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), which could be developed to house nuclear warheads capable of reaching targets around the world. Amidst concerns that the state is getting closer to successfully producing a nuclear arsenal, the event indicated how vital the state’s nuclear programme is to its future ambitions. Tensions are high after the US military recently ordered a navy strike group to move towards the Korean peninsula. North Korea has conducted five nuclear tests and a series of missile launches. Experts and government officials believe it is working to develop nuclear-warhead missiles that can reach the US.