North Korea has simulated nuclear strikes on South Korea, the Associated Press reports on Thursday, August 31.
According to North Korea’s state news agency, on Wednesday evening, the military launched two tactical ballistic missiles from Pyongyang to simulate nuclear strikes using “scorched earth tactics” on South Korea’s main command centers and operational airfields.
The missile test was conducted in response to the overflight of US long-range B-1B bombers during joint air exercises with South Korea.
The day before, DPRK leader Kim Jong-un attended a military command and staff exercise, during which they practiced “occupying the entire territory of the southern half” of the Korean Peninsula in the event of war.
The US vows to defend South Korea
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff called the missile launches a “serious provocation” that threatens international peace and violates United Nations Security Council resolutions banning any ballistic missile launches by North Korea.
The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command emphasized that the United States’ commitment to the defense of South Korea and Japan remains “ironclad.”
North Korea has openly threatened to use nuclear weapons first in potential conflicts with South Korea and the United States after passing a law last year that authorized the preemptive use of nuclear weapons in a wide range of situations.
