Kim Jong Un Oversees Long-Range Artillery and Missile Drill, Emphasizes Enhancement of Nuclear Force Role

KCNA Reports Launch of 600mm Multiple Rocket Launcher and Hwasong-11Ga Tactical Missile

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un personally oversaw a joint long-range artillery and missile strike drill on May 8. Chairman Kim emphasized, "We must continuously enhance the pivotal role of nuclear force in both war deterrence strategy and all aspects of warfighting."

According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on May 9, Chairman Kim, while guiding the joint long-range artillery and missile system strike drill of the Eastern Front unit the previous day, stated, "It is extremely important to continuously maintain the routine combat readiness posture of our nuclear force. We must continue to focus on the ongoing improvement of our long-range precision strike capability and efficiency," reiterating his position.

Yonhap News Agency

Previously, the Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that North Korea had fired several types of short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) from Wonsan, Kangwon Province, the previous day. It was reported that North Korea test-fired a mix of the KN-23, known as the "North Korean Iskander," and the KN-25, a 600mm super-large multiple rocket launcher.

KCNA introduced the weapons mobilized in this drill as a 600mm multiple launch rocket system and the "Hwasong-11Ga" type tactical ballistic missile. Chairman Kim further stated, "Prioritizing the qualitative superiority of our artillery force, based on the firm perspective that this strengthens our artillery, our military's combat power, and our national defense capabilities, is the consistent policy of our Party regarding force development."

During the drill, before the artillery and missile firing, North Korea conducted an inspection of the reliability of its "nuclear trigger" system, according to KCNA. The nuclear trigger refers to the comprehensive nuclear weapons management system North Korea unveiled in 2023, which includes procedures for the management and use of nuclear weapons.

KCNA suggested that the purpose of this drill was to respond to recent military cooperation among South Korea, the United States, and Japan. The agency stated, "The reckless actions by the United States and its follower states, which are conducting successive nuclear operation exercises on the Korean Peninsula and in surrounding areas, are compelling our forces to maintain rapid responsiveness and thorough readiness for war."

Meanwhile, accompanying Chairman Kim in overseeing the drill were senior Party Central Committee officials Park Jungchun, Jo Chunryong, and Kim Jeongsik, as well as Missile General Bureau Director Jang Changha and Defense Science Institute Director Kim Yonghwan.