Kim Jong-un: “We must constantly make the enemy aware of the reliability and lethality of strategic attack methods.”

Kim Jong-un: “We must constantly make the enemy aware of the reliability and lethality of strategic attack methods.”

North Korea test-fired a hypersonic missile yesterday... “Hit the 1,000km target in the East Sea”

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Lee Eun-jung = North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un observed a mid-range strategic missile launch exercise and reaffirmed the policy of strengthening nuclear forces, saying that continuous verification and performance improvement of weapons systems are "a form of exercising deterrence."

The Korean Central News Agency said that mid-range strategic missile launch training was conducted from the eastern region to the East Sea in the early morning of the 4th, and that this training was "to train the firepower service capabilities of missile soldiers handling hypersonic strategic weapon systems" and "part of an evaluation project on the reliability, effectiveness, and mobility of war deterrence."

The training was attended by Chairman Kim, Kim Jung-sik, First Vice Director of the Ministry of Military Industry of the Workers' Party of Korea, and Jang Chang-ha, Director of the General Missile Bureau. According to photos reported by North Korean media, Chairman Kim's daughter Joo Ae and spouse Ri Sol-ju also watched the training.

Chairman Kim said at the scene, "Establishing a strong and reliable nuclear deterrent and demonstrating that our military's counterattack means are always ready for mobilization are very important measures and responsible activities in ensuring national security."

Chairman Kim praised the commanders and soldiers of the missile unit, saying, “The strategic missile soldiers have demonstrated extremely proficient professional qualifications in the operation of important offensive weapon systems and a counterattack readiness that can be mobilized at any time,” and “provided confidence in our deterrence power.”

He emphasized, “We must continue to make responsible efforts to constantly and repeatedly make our opponents aware of the reliability of strategic attack means and their lethality,” adding, “This is a form of exercising deterrence.”

He continued, "Our activities are clearly aimed at further upgrading the country's nuclear war deterrence. It is essential to protect the country's safety and stability in today's geopolitical environment," and argued that weapons system verification exercises such as missile launches are defensive in nature.

At the same time, he said, "There can be no change in our views and policies," and reaffirmed that he would not give up the policy of strengthening nuclear weapons, saying, "We must control various threats with strong deterrence and ensure a safer environment for our nation-building and activities."

The news agency claimed that the launched missile was launched in the northeast direction and “hit the set target at latitude 43°36′28.04” and longitude 138°00′47.02”, 1,000 km off the East Sea.”

A photo was also released of a missile being launched spewing flames into the sky. The number '17701922' was written on the missile along with the North Korean flag.

It also showed the backs of Chairman Kim and his daughter Joo-ae looking at the launch scene, as well as Chairman Kim's family and military executives smiling brightly. A monitor screen showing the trajectory of the missile was also captured behind Joo-ae.

Previously, Kim Yo-jung, the head of the Workers' Party's General Affairs Department, disclosed the missile launch training on the day of the ballistic missile launch and claimed that the Korean and Japanese military authorities failed to track it due to technological superiority.