North Korea practiced a nuclear counterstrike for the first time
Details
The purpose of the exercise was to "demonstrate the reliability and power" of the DPRK's nuclear forces.
North Korea has conducted the first-ever nuclear counterstrike exercise, the Korean Central Telegraphic Agency reported.
As part of the exercise, the military fired projectiles from an extra-large jet gun with a simulated nuclear warhead. The projectiles hit a target island 352 kilometers away.
The drills were attended by dictator Kim Jon Un, who said the country's nuclear forces were prepared to "urgently fulfill the important mission of deterring war and winning the initiative at any time and in any situation."
At the end of the year, Kim said the DPRK should accelerate preparations for war in 2024 to "confront unprecedented" actions by the US. He also called South Korea "the most hostile country" and called for this definition to be enshrined in the DPRK constitution.
The US is concerned about the "tight embrace" between Russia and North Korea. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian Affairs, Jung Pak, said Pyongyang's close ties with Moscow could encourage Kim to go to war with South Korea, export arms, and ignore international calls for nuclear disarmament.
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