North Korea s Kim Jong Un leads missile test stresses nuclear force readiness KCNA

SEOUL - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw drills that simulated nuclear counterstrikes against Seoul and Washington, state media said on May 9, a day after South Korea’s military flagged missile tests by Pyongyang that violated sanctions.

Seoul’s military said May 8’s tests, which involved “various types” of short-range ballistic missiles, could be linked to the nuclear-armed North’s weapons exports to Moscow.

The drills involved a 600mm multilayer rocket system and a tactical ballistic missile, Pyongyang’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

Detailed training on “procedures and processes for rapidly switching over to the nuclear counterattack posture” took place, according to KCNA.

“The goal of the drill was achieved and the reliability of the command and mobilisation system capable of quickly reacting to any nuclear crisis was verified,” the news agency added.

Mr Kim earlier this week inspected shell manufacturing at munitions factories, with state media claiming the country’s shell output had increased dramatically in recent months.

Pyongyang also recently unveiled a 5,000-tonne destroyer-class vessel named Choe Hyon, that analysts say could carry both ship-to-surface and ship-to-air missiles.

Seoul’s military said the warship could have involved Russian help, such as technology or funds, possibly in exchange for sending troops to help Moscow in its war in Ukraine.

North Korea confirmed last week for the first time it had deployed troops to Russia to support Moscow in the Ukraine war.

Pyongyang and Moscow also recently announced that they had started building the first road bridge linking the two neighbours.

Washington – Seoul’s key security ally – has in recent years ramped up joint military exercises and increased the presence of strategic US assets, such as an aircraft carrier and a nuclear-powered submarine, in the region to deter the North.

South Korea’s military said in early March that the North