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Kim Jong-un's regime said a staggering 4.7 million students and workers had put their names forward to fight after the nation accused Donald Trump of declaring war. State newspaper Rodong Sinmun reported the figure included 1.22 million women who wanted to take on US forces. The state often claims its young men and women clamour to volunteer for the military during its propaganda campaigns.

GETTY Kim Jong-un with his army

REUTERS The North Korean army is growing

A number of disturbing propaganda images and videos have emerged in recent days as Pyongyang steps up its rhetoric against Mr Trump. They include gruesome images of American GIs torturing North Korean women and even a young boy converting his school pencils into missiles. The fresh claim, which are likely to be exaggerated, comes at a time when fears over World War 3 breaking out are escalating. Tensions on the Korean peninsula have risen in recent weeks as Kim and Trump exchanged war-like threats and insults over the North's nuclear and missile development programme.

Pyongyang has branded Trump a “dotard" and accused the US President of declaring war after he warned Kim's regime would not last if the despot persisted in threatening the United States and its allies. Mr Trump warned the nation could be "totally destroyed" in a conflict. South Korea says it is expecting further provocations from its neighbour in the coming weeks as the state marks the anniversary of the founding of the North Korean communist party. During a meeting with President Moon Jae-in on Thursday, national security adviser Chung Eui-yong said he expected Pyongyang to act around October 10 and 18, but gave no details.

North Korea stages anti-US rally in battle with Donald Trump Mon, September 25, 2017 Tens of thousands of Pyongyang residents were gathered in the capital's Kim Il-Sung Square to laud leader Kim Jong-Un's denunciation of US President Donald Trump. Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 12 Students march during a mass rally on Kim Il-Sung sqaure in Pyongyang