SEOUL (Reuters) -North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has visited missile bases to examine their readiness to undertake actions of "strategic deterrence", while calling U.S. nuclear capabilities a growing threat to the country,

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected strategic missile bases and ordered the military to stay ready to deal a counterblow to enemies “at any time,” just weeks ahead of the US presidential election in an apparent move to raise its profile.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected a strategic missile base, state media said Wednesday, releasing images of him viewing transport and launch vehicles for the country's largest and most powerful intercontinental ballistic weapons.

South Korean intelligence says it identified North Korean military officers fighting alongside Russia in Ukraine's Donetsk region.

South Korea warns it could consider supplying weapons to Ukraine in response to North Korea allegedly dispatching troops to Russia.

The U.S. has around 28,500 soldiers stationed in South Korea. A report by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs shared with Newsweek this week found that over half of Americans (51 percent) back using American forces troops to defend South Korea if North Korea invaded.