North Korean state media reported today that the country carried out a simulation of a nuclear strike adhering to a "scorched earth" policy targeting facilities across South Korea. This action was in response to joint military exercises conducted by Seoul and Washington, which Pyongyang claims are plans for a preemptive nuclear attack by the United States. Official media reports elaborated unusually on how North Korea envisions the possibility of war, including responding to any attack by striking South Korea with nuclear weapons and then invading its territory for occupation.
The General Staff of the North Korean Army stated in a release carried by the Korean Central News Agency: "The Korean People's Army conducted a tactical nuclear strike drill simulating scorched earth strikes on the main command centers and operational airfields of the Republic of Korea Army's factions on Wednesday evening."
South Korea's military indicated that North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea on Wednesday evening, just hours after the United States deployed B-1B bombers as part of joint air drills between the two allied countries.
South Korea's presidential office held a security meeting following the late-night missile launch, which followed North Korea's second unsuccessful attempt last week to put its first spy satellite into orbit.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters: "These actions pose a threat to peace and stability, not just for our country but for the region and the international community, and they cannot be tolerated." Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno indicated that Japan would intercept North Korean missiles if they fly over its territory.
North Korea has pledged to make another attempt to launch a satellite in November, and the United States, South Korea, and Japan condemned the launch, labeling it a provocation and a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions prohibiting North Korea's use of ballistic missile technology.
The latest launch occurred late Wednesday, just a day before the conclusion of the 11-day joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States, which Pyongyang has long denounced as war rehearsals.
According to the Korean Central News Agency, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw part of the training on Tuesday, which involved commanders and the entire military aiming to prepare for an all-out war with the South.
The report stated that the exercises simulate repelling a surprise invasion, followed by a counteroffensive to occupy "all of the territory of the southern half." The simulation involved "launching highly concentrated simultaneous strikes on pivotal military command centers, military ports, operational airfields, and other significant military targets of the enemy."
Kim urged the military to enhance its war readiness and criticized the leaders of the United States, South Korea, and Japan, describing them as "gang leaders" increasing the risk of nuclear war in the region.
