North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Thursday guided a missile test to boost the military's nuclear counterattack capability, according to state-run media, a report that came after South Korea and Japan detected the launch of multiple ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan the same day.
The drill was to train units in the operation of a 600-millimeter multilayer rocket system and the Hwasongpho-11-Ka tactical ballistic missile, the official Korean Central News Agency said Friday.
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said Thursday the missiles were fired from the Wonsan area in the eastern part of North Korea, adding it detected launches of various types of short-range ballistic missiles from the area. Japan, South Korea and the United States view the large multiple rocket launcher as a short-range ballistic missile system.
Stressing the need to enhance "the pivotal role" of the country's nuclear forces in all aspects of strategies to deter and fight a war, Kim called for steadily boosting the normal combat readiness of the force, KCNA said.
He also said it is the consistent policy of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea to "preferentially intensify the qualitative superiority of the artillery force" and sought a further increase in the combat reliability of tactical nuclear weapon systems. Kim guided a similar missile test in April last year.
KCNA accused the United States and its "vassal states" of staging a series of nuclear operation drills on the Korean Peninsula and in its vicinity and making a nuclear war against North Korea "a fait accompli."
The news agency said this "reckless act of aggravating the situation" requires the North Korean armed forces to prepare for "a rapid reaction capability and a thoroughgoing war posture."
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