The North Korean leader makes a call just days before the United States and South Korea begin their biggest exercises since 2018.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has monitored a series of missile tests simulating the destruction of an enemy airport as he calls on the military to step up exercises to simulate “real warfare.”
State media also showed Kim’s young daughter sitting on a sofa while watching Thursday night’s exhibition, which was described as a success.
NK News, an online outlet specializing in North Korea, said photos published in the state-run Rodong Sinmun newspaper on Friday showed the test involved six short-range ballistic missile launch vehicles, each capable of carrying four missiles. The launchers were lined up along a coastal wooded area.
The South Korean military said it had detected launch of “multiple SRBM rounds fired from the same region” from North Korea’s west coast Thursday night around 6:20 p.m. (0920 GMT).
North Korea’s state news agency KCNA said a unit trained for “strike missions” fired a “strong volley into target waters” and demonstrated its ability to “counter a real war.”
“(Kim) emphasized that fire assault subunits must be strictly prepared for the highest perfection in carrying out the two strategic missions, that is, first to deter war and second to seize the initiative in war, by intensifying constant of several simulated exercises. for a real war…” KCNA said.
The latest releases come just days before the United States and South Korea begin large-scale joint military exercises known as Freedom Shield, which were last held in 2018. Pyongyang has long stood up for any exercise involving the armed forces of the two countries as trials. for invasion.
Analysts say Pyongyang is likely to step up testing as drills continue. Freedom Shield starts on March 13 and is expected to last 10 days.
“This is likely just the beginning of a series of provocative tests by North Korea,” Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said in emailed comments.
“Pyongyang stands ready to respond aggressively to major US and South Korean defense exercises, as well as President Yoon’s upcoming summits with Prime Minister Kishida and President Biden. The Kim regime can order longer-range missiles, attempt to launch a spy satellite, demonstrate a solid-fuel engine, and maybe even conduct a nuclear test.”
North Korea has ramped up weapons development since 2019 when diplomatic efforts to contain its nuclear and missile program collapsed.
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, who took office last year, has taken a more aggressive approach with Pyongyang and moved to boost diplomatic ties and security cooperation with the United States and Japan.
Yoon is scheduled to travel to Japan next week and to the US for a state visit on April 26, where he will meet with President Joe Biden.
Pyongyang adopted a stepped nuclear doctrine last year, authorizing the use of pre-emptive nuclear strikes in various situations where he may perceive his leadership to be under threat.
Kim’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, warned earlier this week that any move to shoot down one of her test missiles would be considered a War declaration.
North Korea conducted a record number of missile tests last year and has continued its activities until 2023 with test launches of an ICBM, short-range missiles and a suspected long-range cruise missile system in recent weeks. .
The last time it carried out a nuclear test was in September 2017.