North Korea Conducts Drills Simulating Nuclear Counterattack Against U.S. and South Korea

North Korea conducted a series of drills simulating a nuclear counterattack against the United States and South Korea over the weekend, according to state media KCNA. The drills were reportedly overseen by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who called for his nuclear forces to sharpen their war readiness in the face of the allies’ expanding military exercises.

KCNA reported that the drills involved a short-range missile launch from a buried silo, which analysts say would help improve speed and stability in future tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). The missile flew a distance of 420 kilometers before landing in the sea off the east coast of North Korea.

The drills were seen as a warning to the U.S. and South Korea, with KCNA accusing the allies of making an “explicit attempt to unleash a war” against North Korea. Kim Jong Un reportedly described the missile launch as a simulated nuclear attack on South Korea.

The latest drills come amid heightened tensions between North Korea and the U.S. and South Korea, with the allies continuing to scale up their joint military exercises. North Korea has long been critical of the exercises, which it sees as a threat to its security.