North Korea has fired seven ballistic missiles toward the East Sea in the past two weeks. According to reports from Pyongyang, the series of tests has now ended. The bombardment of the south with tactical nuclear weapons was simulated.
According to North Korean state media, the seven most recent missile launches in North Korea were "tactical nuclear exercises" that were personally overseen by ruler Kim Jong Un. The tests were a reaction to joint military exercises by South Korea, Japan and the United States and simulated an "actual war," reported North Korea's state news agency KCNA.
North Korean army units dealing with tactical nuclear weapons "held military exercises from September 25 to October 9 to test the country's war deterrence and nuclear counter-attack capability," KCNA reported. Kim Jong Un "led the military exercises on site," it said. "Even though the enemy keeps talking about dialogue and negotiation, we have nothing to talk about and we don't feel the need to," KCNA quoted Kim as saying.
North Korea fired two ballistic missiles early Sunday, making it the seventh such launch since September 25. South Korea and North Korea are still officially at war, after the two countries only agreed to an armistice and not a peace treaty in the wake of the 1953 Korean War.
The tests sparked international concern, particularly because one of the missiles flew over Jaban. In response, Seoul, Tokyo and Washington held joint maneuvers and also fired rockets. The US also once again sent the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan to the region.
South Korea and the US fear that Pyongyang is also preparing a nuclear weapons test. It would be the first such test since 2017. Experts also consider the increase in North Korean missile tests to be a possible sign of an impending nuclear test.
