North Korea: North Korean leader Mr. Kim Jong Un has supervised a cruise missile test amid South Korea and US joint military exercises. Pyongyang sees this as war rehearsals, as per the report.
The state-run news agency KCNA reported that the test took place as Mr. Kim visited a naval unit on the east coast, where he was pictured standing on the deck of a vessel surrounded by officers. Another photo showed Mr. Kim on the quay watching a missile being fired.
KCNA stated that the launch was intended to verify the “combat function of the ship and the features of its missile system” while improving the sailors’ capability to carry out an “attack mission in actual war.”
“The ship rapidly hit target without even an error,” the state media said.
The state media report arrived just hours before South Korea and the US initiated the Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercises, involving tens of thousands of troops from both nations. These exercises aim to improve their collaborative responses to North Korea’s developing nuclear and missile dangers.
Pyongyang has criticised the drills, which run until 31st August 2023, as a war rehearsal and has issued multiple warnings of “overwhelming” retaliation.
Suspected North Korean hackers reportedly targeted the exercises with email attacks on South Korean contractors working at the allies’ combined exercise war simulation centre.
Last week, South Korean lawmakers cautioned that Pyongyang might attempt to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile or engage in other military actions in protest of the drills or the historic summit involving the leaders of South Korea, the US, and Japan.
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