North Korea Warns of War With South After Artillery Fire

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Friday declared his frontline troops in a “quasi-state of war” and ordered them to prepare for battle

South Korean new officers salute during the joint commission ceremony of 5,780 new officers in Gyeryong, South Korea on March 8. New and ongoing military drills with South Korean and U.S troops have sparked threats from North Korea. Kim Jae-Hwan/AFP/Getty Images

PYONGYANG, North Korea—North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Friday declared his frontline troops in a “quasi-state of war” and ordered them to prepare for battle a day after the most serious confrontation between the rivals in years.

South Korea’s military on Thursday fired dozens of artillery rounds across the border in response to what Seoul said were North Korean artillery strikes meant to back up a threat to attack loudspeakers broadcasting anti-Pyongyang propaganda.

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