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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally oversaw the test launch of strategic cruise missiles this week and issued an order for full readiness to use the country’s nuclear capabilities.
According to Ukrinform, Reuters reported, citing the North Korean state news agency KCNA.
The latest test was aimed at warning “enemies, who are seriously violating the security environment of the country and fostering and escalating the confrontation environment” and demonstrating “readiness of its various nuke operation means,” KCNA news agency said.
“It is the responsible mission and duty of the DPRK’s nuclear armed forces to permanently defend the national sovereignty and security with the reliable nuclear shield by getting more thorough battle readiness of nuclear force and full preparedness for their use,” the media quoted Kim’s statement.
The test missile launch occurred on February 26 over the sea off the western coast of the Korean Peninsula. South Korean military officials said on Friday that they detected signs of North Korea preparing for a missile launch and tracked several cruise missiles.
For years, North Korea has been developing strategic cruise missiles designed to carry nuclear warheads. The UN Security Council has banned North Korea from developing nuclear weapons and imposed a range of sanctions for violations.
The report on the missile tests came in the same week Kim visited several military schools, urging the importance of ideological and tactical training for young officers.
Kim did not specifically name any country when discussing a warning to “enemies,” but, as journalists note, it seems he continued his tough rhetoric against the U.S. and South Korea, despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s statements about wanting to resume negotiations with North Korea. During his first term in the White House, Trump held unprecedented meetings with Kim, although those negotiations did not lead to the denuclearization of North Korea.
As reported by Ukrinform, in early February, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un stated that North Korea would continue to build its nuclear arsenal and further support Russia’s war against Ukraine.
