Kim Jong Un Oversees Nuclear Drills
Pyongyang announced on Friday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised exercises simulating counter-nuclear attacks against Seoul and Washington.
This announcement comes a day after missile tests conducted by North Korea, which included, according to Seoul, “various types” of short-range ballistic missiles.
The South Korean military speculated that these missile tests were connected to North Korean arms exports to Russia.
For its part, the official Korean Central News Agency reported that the drills included a missile system and a tactical ballistic missile.
According to the agency, the maneuvers involved detailed training on “the procedures and operations for rapid transition to a counter-nuclear attack mode.”
The agency clarified that “the training objective was achieved, and the reliability of the command and mobilization system capable of responding swiftly to any nuclear crisis was verified.”
Pyongyang is currently under sanctions imposed by the United Nations due to its nuclear program, which prohibits North Korea from possessing ballistic missiles.
These exercises follow closely behind a directive from the North Korean leader to expedite the nuclear armament of his naval forces.
North Korea maintains that its nuclear arsenal is essential for deterrence against the “aggressive” maneuvers conducted by Washington and Seoul.
Last April, Pyongyang unveiled a 5,000-ton destroyer named “Choe Hyun,” with some analysts speculating it could be equipped with short-range tactical nuclear missiles.
The two Koreas remain technically at war, as the conflict between them from 1950 to 1953 ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty.
Relations between Pyongyang and Seoul are at their lowest point in years. Last year, North Korea launched numerous ballistic missiles in clear violation of UN sanctions.
