North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, oversaw a military drill on Monday simulating a “nuclear counterattack,” according to state media reports.
This latest test marks a continuation of Pyongyang’s recent flurry of missile launches in 2024.
The drill involved firing multiple rockets from the Pyongyang area, which traveled roughly 300 kilometers before landing in the East Sea.
South Korea’s military condemned the launch as a “blatant provocation,” while Japan also confirmed the test.
This is the second missile test by North Korea in less than a week.
Last Friday, they launched a “super-large warhead” designed for a strategic cruise missile.
Analysts believe these tests could be part of an effort to develop cruise missiles for potential use by Russia in the Ukraine war.
Both the US and South Korea suspect North Korea has already sent weapons to Russia, despite UN sanctions.
North Korea has been rapidly advancing its missile program throughout 2024. Earlier this month, they claimed to have successfully tested a new hypersonic missile.
Experts believe these tests are aimed at pushing the boundaries of North Korea’s military capabilities.
This latest drill, coupled with the recent launches, raises concerns about heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula.
The international community is urging North Korea to halt its missile program and return to denuclearization talks.
