North Korea breaks silence on missile tests, says practicing ‘tactical nuclear strikes’ on South Korea

Tensions escalated to an all-time high in the Korean Peninsula and Sea of Japan neighborhood, with North Korea having tested seven ballistic missiles since September 25 and around 25 launches since the start of this year. KCNA had even stated that the recent missile launches were a ‘strong military reaction warning to the enemies.'

Kim Jong Un, the supreme leader of North Korea, oversaw the drills which appeared to be a tit-for-tat move against the trilateral military exercises in its neighborhood by the USA, Japan, and South Korea.

Jeffrey Lewis, the Middlebury Institute of International Studies professor, confirmed that North Korea had made massive progress in its missile program. He said that North Korea was testing the launch pads of missile units and not the missiles themselves. The missiles, according to Lewis, have already been deployed.


KCNA confirmed on September 25, that the workers of North Korea took part in a practice involving the loading and transporting of nuclear warheads safely and swiftly on launchpads. On September 28, they practiced loading nuclear warheads that would target airport operations in South Korea. On October 6, they practiced targeting the command posts of the enemies of North Korea along with enemy ports on October 9.




Meanwhile, the USA has close to 36,000 personnel stationed in its military base in South Korea, which is a likely target of Pyongyang. It is estimated that North Korea has around 30 nuclear warheads. Kim has previously called the USA and South Korea its enemies and doesn’t want to hold any talks with them.

FAQs:

1. Which country ruled Korea before World War II?
   Japan
2. Which year did North and South Korea form?
   1953, after the Korean War.