North Korea accuses US of plotting to assassinate president

North Korea has alleged that US and South Korean agents are plotting to kill Kim Jong-un, its leader.

A statement by the ministry of state security said a group backed by the CIA and South Korea’s intelligence agency had entered the country to attack Jong-un with a bio-chemical substance.

North Korea said it would find and “mercilessly destroy” the agents sent to its country for the mission.

North Korean news agency KCNA said the alleged plot included the use of “biochemical substances including radioactive substance and nano poisonous substance”.

“The supreme leader would have been targeted at a military parade and public procession, with the results not made visible for six to 12 months afterwards,” the statement said.

The statement said a North Korean identified only by the surname “Kim”, had been “corrupted and bribed” by South Korean intelligence services while he was working in Russia.

It lists several payments made to him and said on his return to the country he was instructed to provide detailed information about a frequently used event ground and to assess possible methods of attack.

“Korean-style anti-terrorist attack will be commenced from this moment to sweep away the intelligence and plot-breeding organisations of the U.S. imperialists and the puppet clique,” the statement said.

A war of words between the West and Pyongyang has escalated in recent weeks, with North Korea threatening to carry out a sixth nuclear test.

On Saturday North Korea conducted its second failed ballistic missile test in two weeks.

The US has sent a warship to the region and installed a controversial anti-missile defence system in South Korea.