North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called for further acceleration of war preparations to counter what he called unprecedented confrontational moves by the US and "its vassal forces."

The North's state-run Korean Central Television on Thursday said Kim outlined policy directions for 2024 in a speech the previous day. Kim was speaking on the second day of the Plenary Meeting of the ruling Workers' Party Central Committee.

In the speech, Kim reportedly referred to the situation on the Korean Peninsula and set forth tasks for the army, munitions industry, and nuclear weapons and civil defense sectors to further accelerate war preparations.

Observers say he may have talked about detailed policies on nuclear and missile development based on the North's five-year defense program, which enters its fourth year in 2024, in an aim to counter the US, South Korea and Japan.

Kim also reportedly disclosed his policy to expand strategic cooperation with what he called "anti-imperialist independent countries" in dealing with external affairs and South Korea.

South Korean media say the North is likely to bolster cooperation with Russia, following the September summit between Kim and President Vladimir Putin.