DPRK top leader guides simulated nuclear counterattack drill

SEOUL - Kim Jong-un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) oversaw a simulated nuclear counterattack drill on Monday, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Tuesday.

"The artillerymen of super-large multiple rocket launchers fired in salvo," with the projectiles tipped with simulated nuclear warheads accurately hitting the island target within 352 km range, according to the report.

The drill was specifically designed to "demonstrate the reliability, superiority, might and diverse means of the DPRK's nuclear force and to strengthen the nuclear force both in quality and quantity", it said.

It also served as a clear warning on the latest round of military confrontation by the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK), said the report.

The DPRK top leader emphasized the significance of the country's latest exercise, noting it means the ruling party's plan for expanding and diversifying the tactical nuclear attack has been translated into reality, the report said.

Kim stressed the need to continuously complete tactics and operations to steadily enhance the pivotal role of the country's nuclear force in its deterrence and war-fighting strategy, and to perfect the regular combat readiness of the nuclear force, it added.

With the involvement of super-large multiple rocket launchers, the combined tactical drill on Monday saw a remarkable increase in the might and effectiveness of the country's nuclear combat force, Kim was quoted by the KCNA as saying.

Kim also lauded the maneuver as "an important occasion in thoroughly preparing our nuclear force to be able to rapidly and correctly carry out their important mission of deterring a war and taking the initiative in a war even in any time and any sudden situation".