The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will "deal unimaginably deadly blows to the U.S. imperialists and the South Korean puppets if they ignite a war," the official KCNA news agency said on Sunday, citing a senior official.

"We will mercilessly and resolutely counter the enemy's sanctions with retaliation," said Kim Yong Chun, vice-chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and minister of the People's Armed Forces, at a national meeting Sunday marking the 56th anniversary of the end of the Korean War.

A touch-and-go situation was now prevailing on the Korean Peninsula, even though more than half a century has passed since the armistice of the war, Kim said, blaming it for "sanctions" and "military provocations" by the United States, South Korea and Japan.

Kim said the Korean people always remember that "the world peace-loving progressive people including the Chinese people positively supported and encouraged the army and people of the DPRK in their fight for justice during the war."

The Korean War broke out on June 25, 1950, and ended on July 27, 1953 with an armistice agreement.

(Xinhua News Agency July 26, 2009)