North Korea conducts nuclear weapons attack drills

SGGP 09/04/2023 08:14

On September 3, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that the country's military conducted a simulated tactical nuclear attack exercise in the early morning of September 2 (local time) to "warn the enemy" about the real danger of nuclear war.

Criticizing the US and South Korea

According to KCNA, a strategic cruise missile unit of the Korean People's Army in the western region of the country conducted military operations. Prior to the exercise, the procedures for authenticating attack orders and the normal working conditions of technical and mechanical equipment were inspected. The DPRK launched two long-range strategic cruise missiles equipped with "dummy nuclear" warheads in an actual war environment according to the procedures for approving rapid launch.

The missile unit participating in the exercise launched the long-range strategic cruise missiles from the Chongchon River estuary into the waters west of the Korean Peninsula. The unit successfully carried out the attack mission by ensuring that the missiles flew along the figure-8 flight path (simulating a distance of 1,500 km) and that their “dummy nuclear” warheads exploded at a pre-set altitude of 150 meters above the target island, the statement said.

KCNA said the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea ordered the military exercise to fully demonstrate the will and ability to act to thwart the enemy's attempt to wage a war of aggression. Pyongyang also criticized the US and South Korea for holding a two-day joint guided missile and bombing drill, after the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise ended in late August.

North Korea conducts nuclear attack drills photo 1

Missiles are launched during North Korea's military drills in the early morning of September 2. Photo: Kyodo

Bring back to the negotiating table

The latest drills by North Korea come after Pyongyang fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan on August 30, as well as South Korea adding one North Korean company and five individuals to its unilateral sanctions list on September 1. According to KBS, the South Korean Foreign Ministry said it had separately sanctioned the Ryukyong Program Development Company, which is involved in North Korea's development of autonomous weapons, along with five officials of the company - involved in Pyongyang's nuclear, missile and capital mobilization.

The South Korean Foreign Ministry said that through this round of sanctions, Seoul has demonstrated its firm will to lead the international community in preventing Pyongyang from developing satellites, drones, nuclear weapons, missiles, evading sanctions, and raising capital. The South Korean government also stressed that North Korea will definitely pay a heavy price if it continues to carry out “provocative acts.” South Korea will maintain close cooperation with the United States, Japan, and the international community to urge North Korea to stop these tension-causing activities and return to the denuclearization negotiation table.

This is the 11th unilateral embargo imposed by the current government since President Yoon Suk Yeol took office. Since October last year, 54 individuals and 51 organizations have been added to South Korea's sanctions list. Accordingly, any financial or foreign exchange transactions with those on the sanction list must be approved in advance by the Bank of Korea and the Financial Supervisory Commission of Korea, otherwise they will be punished. Seoul hopes that this embargo will further tighten the international community's sanctions network and strengthen coordination with other countries on policies towards Pyongyang.

Previously, the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control also announced the addition of two more individuals, including one North Korean national, and one organization to the sanctions list.

Source