Kim Jong Il, the top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), has said the national army is capable of beating back a surprise invasion by any enemy, state media reported Thursday.

Kim made the comments during an inspection tour of an artillery unit, following which he observed firing exercises, state media said without giving the date of the visit.

The DPRK army, equipped with modern offensive and defensive means, could "wipe out the enemy in a single blow no matter from which part of the earth they come to invade the DPRK," Kim said.

Kim has paid several visits to military units, factories and farms since the beginning of the month.

(Xinhua News Agency February 12, 2009)