North Korea Conducts Nuclear Retaliation Virtual Tactical Drill... Kim Jong-un Says "Diversification of Tactical Nuclear Operations"

Kim Jong-un Oversees Tactical Drill Mobilizing Super Large Multiple Rocket Launchers on Map

Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea [Image source=Yonhap News]

North Korea announced on the 23rd that it conducted a comprehensive nuclear counterattack tactical exercise using super-large multiple rocket launchers under the guidance of Chairman Kim Jong-un.

The Workers' Party newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported on the same day that a training exercise was carried out the previous day operating super-large multiple rocket launchers within the national nuclear weapons comprehensive management system called the 'Nuclear Trigger,' describing it as "a clear warning signal to the enemies."

Regarding the background of the exercise, the newspaper mentioned the joint combined arms training (KFT) currently underway in South Korea with the United States and the joint airborne infiltration exercise conducted on the 18th. The newspaper described these as "continuous military provocations by hostile forces attempting to crush our republic by force."

Additionally, the newspaper claimed that the exercise was conducted in sequence as a live drill to familiarize units with the procedures and processes of transitioning to a nuclear counterattack posture upon issuance of the nation's highest nuclear crisis alert system, the 'Volcano Alert,' including the operation of the nuclear counterattack command system and the firing of super-large multiple rocket launcher projectiles equipped with simulated nuclear warheads.

According to the newspaper, Chairman Kim evaluated with satisfaction that "the exercise was successfully conducted, realizing the Party Central Committee's nuclear force construction concept to expand the operational scope of tactical nuclear attacks and achieve diversification."

Earlier, the Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that North Korea launched several projectiles presumed to be short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea from the Pyongyang area at around 3:01 p.m. the previous day. The Joint Chiefs explained, "The North Korean missiles flew about 300 km before landing in the East Sea."

Since the straight-line distance from Pyongyang to Gyeryongdae, where the South Korean Army, Navy, and Air Force headquarters are located, is approximately 330 km, and to the U.S. 8th Fighter Wing stationed in Gunsan, Jeonbuk, is about 350 km, this exercise is interpreted as targeting major South Korean military facilities.