This recent picture released by DPRK's official Korean Central News Agency KCNA on March 20, 2023 shows DPRK top leader Kim Jong-un (center) and his daughter (left) observing a warhead missile launch exercise simulating a tactical nuclear attack in Cheolsan county, North Pyongan province. (STR / KCNA VIA KNS / AFP)
SEOUL – The Democratic People's Republic of Korea on Saturday and Sunday conducted a combined tactical drill simulating a nuclear counterattack by the units for the operation of tactical nuclear weapons, the official Korean Central News Agency reported Monday.
Carried out under the tense situation in which a large-scale war drill by the US-Republic of Korea allied forces is underway and US nuclear strategic assets are massively brought to ROK, the drill also aimed to demonstrate the DPRK's "tougher will to make an actual war response and send a stronger warning to the enemy," according to the report.
The DPRK's top leader Kim Jong-un guided the drill, it said, adding that it was intended to "bolster the country's war deterrence and nuclear counterattack capability and let relevant units get familiar with the procedures and processes for implementing their tactical nuclear attack missions."
The two-day drill included "an exercise for managing the nuclear strike control system, an actual training for switching to taking nuclear counterattack posture, and a drill for launching tactical ballistic missile," according to the report.
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On Sunday morning, a ballistic missile was launched in North Phyongan province, and accurately exploded 800 meters above the targeted waters set in its 800-km strike range, it added.