North Korea Ramps Up Nuclear Defense Strategy: Kim Jong Un’s Daughter Witnesses Ballistic Missile Test
In a bid to prevent war amidst increasing US-South Korea military exercises near North Korea, Kim Jong Un, the country’s leader, has called for a state of readiness to launch nuclear counter strikes. This follows his guidance during combined tactical drills over the weekend, which aimed to simulate a nuclear counterattack against North Korea’s adversaries. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), these drills have significantly improved the war capabilities of participating units.
To simulate a tactical nuclear attack, North Korea launched a ballistic missile fitted with a mock nuclear warhead on Sunday. The missile traveled about 500 miles before hitting a target at an altitude of 0.5 miles. Kim Jong Un has noted that the drills helped North Korean troops prepare for unexpected situations and maintain a readiness for immediate and overwhelming nuclear counterattacks.
Kim was joined by his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, who is believed to be around 9 years old, during the missile launch. The younger Kim has frequently accompanied her father during missile launches in recent months.
Kim has stressed the importance of regularly conducting drills under simulated war conditions, and the recent two-day nuclear counterattack drill was no exception. The drill included an exercise for managing the nuclear strike control system and another for launching a tactical ballistic missile with a mock nuclear warhead. Kim Jong Un said the drill was a crucial step in preparing North Korea’s nuclear combat force to perform its mission of war deterrence and securing war initiative under any circumstances.
The announcement of North Korea’s nuclear counterattack simulation came after US strategic bombers participated in joint air drills with South Korean forces on Sunday. This was part of the two countries’ largest joint military exercise, dubbed “Freedom Shield.” The joint drills involved US B-1B strategic bombers, South Korean Air Force F-35A stealth fighters, and US Air Force F-16 fighters.
In response to the joint US-South Korea war games, North Korea has increased missile launches, including firing submarine missiles before the exercises. Kim Jong Un accused the US and South Korea of expanding joint military drills involving American nuclear assets and said their aggressive moves are becoming more pronounced. He urged North Korea to exponentially strengthen its nuclear war deterrence.
According to Kim Dong-yub, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies and former South Korean navy commander, North Korea’s latest exercises seem more specific and sophisticated than those conducted in September and October last year. He noted that this demonstrates North Korea’s development of its nuclear strategy, nuclear operation doctrine, and nuclear command system.
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