North Korea holds ‘tactical nuclear attack’ drill with fake warhead

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea conducted a mock “tactical nuclear attack” drill Saturday involving two long-range cruise missiles, state media reported Sunday, as leader Kim Jong Un inspected shipbuilding. and munitions factories.

The KCNA news agency said the exercise was conducted early on Saturday to ‘warn enemies’ that the country would be ready in the event of a nuclear war, as Pyongyang again pledged to strengthen its military deterrence against Washington. and Seoul.

The two cruise missiles carrying fake nuclear warheads were fired towards the western sea of ​​the peninsula and traveled 930 miles at a preset altitude of 150 meters.

A separate statement said Kim visited the Pukjung Machinery Complex, which produces marine engines, as well as a major ammunition factory, to stress the importance of bolstering Pyongyang’s naval forces.

“He affirmed that an upcoming plenary meeting of the Central Committee of the WPK (Workers’ Party of Korea) will define a major modernization of the complex and the development direction of the shipbuilding industry,” the KCNA statement said.

The press release does not specify the date of his visit.

The latest missile test came just after the end of the annual joint summer exercises between South Korea and the United States, known as Ulchi Freedom Shield, which ended Thursday after 11 days, including aerial exercises with B-1B bombers.

North Korea has stepped up its military deterrence against Washington and Seoul and criticized last month’s summit agreement between the two countries on improving military cooperation.

An Aug. 21 KCNA statement said Kim recently visited a naval fleet stationed on the east coast to oversee a test of strategic cruise missiles aboard a warship, and stressed that the ship would retain its strike power. in combat situations.