North Korean leader Kim Jong-un boasted of a surge of internal strength in the new year following the removal of "factionalist filth" - a reference to his once powerful uncle and mentor, whose purge and execution last month have raised questions about the country's stability.
His comments came in an annual New Year's message.
"Last year we took the resolute measure of removing the factionalist filth lurking in the Party," said Kim.
"As our Party detected and purged the anti-Party, counterrevolutionary factionalists at an opportune time and with a correct decision, the Party and revolutionary ranks were further consolidated and our single-hearted unity was solidified by 100 times," he added, referring to his uncle Jang Song Thaek, long considered the country's No. 2 power.
His remarks, including those focusing on one of the biggest political developments in Pyongyang in years, will be closely scrutinised by outside analysts and governments for clues about the country's intentions and policy goals.
He also warned the United States and South Korea to stop taking place anti-North Korea military exercises.
"The US and south Korean war maniacs have deployed legions of equipment for a nuclear war in and around the Korean peninsula and are going frantic in their military exercises for a nuclear war against the north," said Kim.
"Should another war break out on this land, it will result in a deadly nuclear catastrophe and the United States will never be safe," he warned.
Kim Jong-un, who also spoke publicly last New Year's Day, appears to be following in his grandfather's steps, the country's founder Kim Il-Sung, who gave public New Year's readings on state television and radio until his 1994 death.
Under the more private Kim Jong-Il, the North's leading newspapers released the annual statement in a joint editorial.
Source: APTN
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