N. Korea leader calls for stronger nuclear force
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un laughs while observing the latest ballistic missile launches in this photo released by the state-run newspaper Rodong Sinmun, Tuesday. / Yonhap
By Jun Ji-hye
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has ordered his military to continue to bolster its nuclear force, Pyongyang’s state-run media said Tuesday.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Kim made the order while observing the launch of ballistic missiles by the Korean People’s Army (KPA).
The media did not specify when the drill took place, but it was understood that it referred to Monday’s launch of three missiles, believed to be medium-range Rodong missiles, into waters off its east coast.
The KCNA reported that Kim “stressed the need to continue making miraculous achievements in bolstering the country’s nuclear force” this year that started with the regime’s alleged test of a hydrogen bomb.
The repressive state announced at the start of the year that it had successfully detonated a hydrogen bomb, Jan. 6, though many outside experts expressed doubts about the claim.
On Monday, the North fired three Rodong missiles that flew about 1,000 kilometers before landing in waters within Japan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (JADIZ) in the East Sea, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The launch took place soon after President Park Geun-hye and her Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping wrapped up bilateral talks on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Hangzhou, China.
The launches were an apparent show of force as the G20 summit was underway. They also came a few days before the 68th anniversary of the establishment of the North Korean regime on Sept. 9.
The KCNA said Hwasong artillery units of the KPA Strategic Force were involved in the drill, and the units’ capability for fighting a real battle and the combat performance of the missiles were appreciated as perfect at the drill.
“Through the drill, the Hwasong artillery units demonstrated before the world their military might as a strong service capable of mounting a preemptive attack on the enemies any time and from any place,” the KCNA reported.
It said the drill was conducted to reexamine the reliability such as flight security and accuracy of the improved missiles, and to assess and inspect the capabilities of the units for action. Those units are tasked with striking U.S. military bases in the Pacific in the event of war.
The isolated state has continued to carry out tests of various missiles in recent months in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions that ban the North from any activity using ballistic missile technology.
On Aug. 24, Pyongyang successfully test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) in waters off its east coast.
The SLBM flew about 500 kilometers before landing in JADIZ waters, showing a significant improvement compared with past launches. At the time, the missile penetrated about 80 kilometers into the JADIZ.