North Korea conducted tests of the latest short-range ballistic missiles simulating nuclear strikes against the United States and South Korea, as reported by state media Korean Central News Agency (KNCA) on Friday. The tests were aimed at integrating the nuclear missile units with the “national nuclear weapons integrated management system” to administer an efficient response in case of a nuclear conflict.
North Korea Conducts Missile Tests Simulating Nuclear Strikes
The tests were aimed at integrating the nuclear missile units with the “national nuclear weapons integrated management system” to administer an efficient response in case of a nuclear conflict.
According to KNCA, the tests have been carried out in retaliation to US and South Korea’s joint military drills in and around the Korean region. The tests conducted on the east coast comprise the 600 millimeter multi-layer rocket system and Hwasong-11 short-range ballistic missiles.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un asserted that nuclear armament is a key tool for deterring and fighting the war while calling for increasing its military’s capabilities for precision strikes and improving their combat readiness.
The North Korean tests were asserted as a “clear act of provocation” and were accused of violating the UN Security Council resolutions by Kim Inae, spokesperson for South Korea’s Unification Ministry, which handles inter-Korean affairs, as reported by AP.
The tests were conducted from the city of Wonsan and were carried out for approximately 70 minutes.
The tests marked Pyongyang’s first ballistic missile tests in the past two months with Kim directing the ammunition workers to increase the production of artillery shells. South Korea has discouraged the drills with its presidential elections scheduled for June 3.
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