Kim Orders Intensification of Drills to Deter "Real War"

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered the military to intensify drills to deter a "real war" and respond if necessary, after overseeing offensive exercises that media reported demonstrated the country's capabilities, according to official media on Friday. The South Korean military announced that the northern neighbor launched a short-range ballistic missile off its western coast on Thursday, adding that it is considering the possibility of North Korea launching multiple missiles simultaneously from the same area. Photos published by the Korean Central News Agency showed at least six missiles being launched at the same time. The agency reported, "Kim emphasized that the offensive subordinate units must be fully prepared to achieve the utmost perfection in executing the two strategic tasks, which are, first, deterring war and second, taking the initiative in war, by intensifying various simulation drills in preparation for a real war." Kim was accompanied by his young daughter, who has recently appeared at a series of important events. For his part, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol stated that his country would intensify joint military exercises with the United States and enhance joint planning and execution of expanded U.S. deterrence against North Korean nuclear and missile threats. Seoul seeks to bolster extended deterrence, meaning the U.S. military's ability to deter attacks under its nuclear umbrella, amid growing calls within South Korea to develop nuclear capabilities to counter threats from the north. The latest missile launches come as Washington and Seoul prepare to begin large-scale military drills known as Freedom Shield next week. The United States will hold an informal meeting of United Nations Security Council members next week regarding human rights violations in North Korea, a move likely to provoke anger from Pyongyang and opposition from China and Russia.