PYONGYANG, North Korea (CNN) -- North Korea has repeated warnings to its citizens and military that it believes the United States is preparing to launch a large-scale attack on it, including a pre-emptive nuclear strike.

CNN: N. Korea warns of nuclear conflict

They will also call for fortifying U.S. nuclear launch systems, so military officials would not believe they have to launch a nuclear strike out of fear that an incoming attack would destroy the U.S. response capacity.

WSJ: U.S. Keeps First-Strike Nuclear Strategy

He says it seems the French intervened after militants tried to launch a rocket attack on a Malian military camp.

BBC: France action in Mali is real war, says Le Drian

Such a step would allow Japan's Self-Defense Forces to launch a pre-emptive missile strike at an enemy's military target when an imminent attack on Japan from that specific site is confirmed, officials for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party said.

WSJ: Japan's Military Moves Toward Pre-Emptive Strike Capability