The North Korean Central News Agency said that the missile tests, which were supervised by leader Kim Jong Un, were aimed at deterrence after the naval exercises conducted by South Korea and the United States.
The exercises continued from September 25 to October 9, “with the aim of testing and evaluating the country’s deterrence and nuclear counterattack capability, which represents a severe warning to the enemies,” according to “AFP”, quoted by the official North Korean Agency.
Pyongyang also sent 12 warplanes to fly near its border with the south.
And North Korea said earlier this October that the tests, which included firing eight missiles in about two weeks, were a “counter-measure” in response to South Korea and the United States’ maneuvers, which the North usually viewed as a “prelude to invasion.”
Missile test details
The agency said that the tactical nuclear operations units carried out exercises over the past two weeks, which included launching ballistic missiles with dummy nuclear warheads.
She added that the various tests simulated targeting the military command’s facilities, hitting the main ports and neutralizing airports in the south.
“The effectiveness and practical combat capability of our nuclear combat forces have been fully demonstrated as they are ready to strike and destroy targets at any time and from anywhere,” the Korean Central News Agency said.
“Although the enemy continues to talk about conducting dialogue and negotiations, we have nothing to talk about and do not feel the need to do so,” Kim was quoted as saying by the agency.
Reply to the joint maneuvers
The agency said that the ruling Workers’ Party of North Korea decided to hold the exercises as an inevitable response to a large-scale mobilization of the US and South Korean navies, which included the aircraft carrier “Ronald Reagan”.
In recent days, the United States and South Korea conducted joint naval exercises, as well as a nuclear-powered submarine aircraft carrier, after the South sent combat aircraft in response to North Korea’s apparent aerial bombing exercises.
Analysts say that if North Korea resumes nuclear testing, that could include developing smaller “tactical” warheads for battlefield use and designed to fit short-range missiles such as those tested recently.
North Korea has conducted a record number of tests since the beginning of the year. It adopted a new doctrine in September that asserts that its status as a nuclear power is “irreversible”.
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