North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised salvo launches of the country’s “super-large” multiple rocket launchers that simulated a nuclear counterattack against enemy targets, state media said Tuesday, adding to tests and threats that have raised tensions in the region.
The report by North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency came a day after the South Korean and Japanese militaries detected the North firing what they suspected were multiple short-range ballistic missiles from a region near its capital, Pyongyang, toward its eastern seas.
Analysts say North Korea’s large-sized artillery rockets blur the boundary between artillery systems and ballistic missiles because they can create their own thrust and are guided during delivery. The North has described some of these systems, including the 600mm multiple rocket launchers that were tested Monday, as capable of delivering tactical nuclear warheads.
KCNA said Monday’s launches represented the first demonstration of the country’s nuclear-weapons management and control system called “Haekbangashoe,” or “nuclear trigger.” The report described the drill as aimed at demonstrating the strength and diverse attack means of North Korea’s nuclear forces amid deepening tensions with the United States and South Korea, which it portrayed as “warmongers” raising tensions in the region with their combined military exercises.
State media photos showed at least four rockets being fired from launch vehicles as Kim watched from an observation post. It said the rockets flew 352 kilometers (218 miles) before accurately hitting an island target and that the drill verified the reliability of the “system of command, management, control and operation of the whole nuclear force.”
KCNA said Kim expressed satisfaction, saying that the multiple rocket launchers were as accurate as a “sniper’s rifle.”
@ISIDEWITH2wks2W
How do you believe the international community should respond to demonstrations of nuclear strength by any country, not just North Korea?
@KindFilibusterDemocrat2wks2W
It’s very amusing that people think Trump is tough. Laughable. During his romancing of Kim No. Korea went from 4 nukes to 40. He invited the Taliban to Camp David after signing a unilateral withdrawal from Afghanistan. He lost Hong Kong. Oh and that nuclear deal with Iran he tore up. For all the so called short comings they have no nukes right now. Can you imagine what the Israeli Hamas war would be like now with a nuclear armed Iran. And finally he abandons Ukraine and invites his idol Putin to invade Europe. Yes, what a tough guy.
@C4ucusGnuMountain2wks2W
Astounding how more dangerous the world has become in three short years: Afghanistan given over to illiterate peasants; Israel embroiled in a widening regional conflict; Houthis harassing US troops; Russia foments the largest land war since WWII . Now we learn North Korea takes provocations to new heights.
@Fr33domBartDemocrat2wks2W
Hmmm.
The Taliban controlled over 70% of Afghanistan. The U.S. supported government basically managed Kabul and fell apart in record time. So, should we have stayed another 20 years and wasted even more blood and treasure in Afghanistan? Also, contrary to predictions, Afghanistan has not become the hotbed of exported of terrorism many predicted.
So, let me get this straight, if one country attacks another it is the fault of the U.S.? Netanyahu was the one who negotiated with Qatar to send Hamas a monthly stipend. The U.S. has as much control over what happens in Gaza as Nepal does for what goes on in Ciudad Juarez. The is Israel's backyard and they completely surround Gaza. This is on Bibi.
@PenguinAvaConstitution2wks2W
What do I think? I think we're turning into Europe, blowing all our resources on domestic giveaways, wagging our fingers at brutal expansionist dictators, letting our once mighty military wither, and abusing king dollar by using it to punish bad actors and inflating it causing much of the world to work toward an alternative reserve currency. We're more divided than at any time since the Civil War and we can't even agree that men and women are not interchangeable, so yeah, we're in deep doo doo.
@FabulousMuesliDemocrat2wks2W
Question is where from NK getting all the money?I read they get some through US IT outsourcing - perhaps through some shell companies in between. But not sure.
@GrizzledTunaRepublican2wks2W
They criticized Trump for actually holding diplomatic meetings with Kim Jong Un. Now they praise Biden for doing absolutely nothing to mitigate or deter North Korea's aggression.
The hypocrisy and failure of liberal internationalism.
@ISIDEWITH2wks2W
@ISIDEWITH2wks2W
@ISIDEWITH2wks2W
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