According to Monday’s report by North Korea’s state media, recent missile tests, including “tactical nuclear” drills, were carried out in retaliation for joint military operations in the area that were led by the United States.
According to KCNA, the leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the exercises over the previous two weeks and ordered them to be conducted in order to send a crystal-clear message of war deterrence.
The tests simulated attacking military command facilities, major ports, and airports in the South, according to the state-run media.
Naval forces from the United States, Japan, and South Korea participated in joint exercises
KCNA said: “The effectiveness and practical combat capability of our nuclear combat force were fully demonstrated as it stands completely ready to hit and destroy targets at any time from any location.”
As quoted, Kim said, “Even though the enemy continues to talk about dialogue and negotiations, we do not have anything to talk about nor do we feel the need to do so.”
As quoted by news agencies, Ankit Panda of the US-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace said: “The statement they’ve released is crystal clear that this recent spate of tests was their way of signaling resolve to the United States and South Korea as they carried out military activities of their own.”
The naval drills were attended by the American carrier Ronald Reagan and its strike group. Prior to that, naval forces from the United States, Japan, and South Korea participated in joint exercises.
The U.S.-led UN forces are still technically at war with North Korea
In response to the North Korean announcement on Monday, President Yoon Suk-yeol of South Korea’s office stated that “it is crucial to accurately identify the gravity of security challenges in the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia to prepare appropriately.”
The U.S.-led UN forces are still technically at war with North Korea because the 1950–1953 Korean War was ended by an armistice rather than a peace treaty.