North Korea's state-run news outlet says the country's leader Kim Jong Un has condemned security cooperation among Japan, the United States and South Korea and threatened what he calls a "super-tough counteraction."

The media outlet covered Kim's foreign policy speech for 2024 on Sunday. He delivered the address during the ruling Workers' Party's five-day policy-setting Central Committee meeting, which wrapped up on Saturday.

Kim warned that Washington could trigger an armed conflict between the US and North Korea through security cooperation among Japan, the US and South Korea or other means. He referred to a missile development plan as part of his efforts to reinforce the military to counter the three countries.

Kim said North Korea will fulfill a main task in its five-year defense program at an early date. The program entered its fourth year in 2024.

Kim mentioned the need to develop various kinds of unmanned military hardware and electronic warfare means. He also pledged to enhance the navy's underwater and surface combat strength. This may mean Pyongyang will seek to develop nuclear-powered submarines.

Kim also underlined the necessity to further boost relations with countries opposing what he described as the "hegemony strategy" of the US and other Western nations. This suggests Pyongyang will try to strengthen ties with its two key allies, Beijing and Moscow.