Kim Jong Un supervises missile exercises aiming at "enemy's capital
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw exercises involving missile launchers capable of carrying tactical nuclear warheads, according to state media in Pyongyang. State news agency KCNA reported that the dictator called for the improvement of readiness to destroy the "enemy's capital" with "primary striking means".
The report came a day after the South Korean and Japanese militaries informed of North Korea's firing of short-range ballistic missiles towards the waters off its east coast.
According to North Korean KCNA, on Monday, Kim supervised the exercises of artillery units in the west of the country using a multiple rocket launcher system of 610 mm in calibre (approximately 24 inches).
KCNA highlighted that the North Korean leader expressed "great satisfaction" when the artillerymen demonstrated "high mobility as well as precise and strong strike force" during their mission. He said that it is "necessary to continue to impress the enemies" and that "if an armed conflict and war breaks out, (the enemies) will never escape catastrophic consequences".
He also urged his army to "more accurately fulfil the mission of blocking and suppressing war capabilities with constant excellent readiness for the downfall of the enemy's capital and its armed forces structure". According to the South Korean agency Yonhap, Kim was referring to Seoul.
Test simulating an air explosion of a missile
KCNA reported that the North Korean military also conducted a test simulating an air explosion of a missile fired from the tested launcher at a given altitude. A photo published by the government newspaper Rodong Sinmun shows six missiles being launched simultaneously.
Experts to whom AP refers say North Korea's large artillery missiles blur the line between artillery systems and ballistic missiles, as they can generate their thrust and are guided during flight.
Observers note that tension on the Korean Peninsula remains at an unprecedentedly high level following a series of North Korean missile tests that began in 2022.
