Kim Jong Un led nuclear ‘counterattack simulation drills’ over weekend

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un conducted drills over the weekend to simulate a nuclear counterattack in response to military exercises conducted by the US and South Korea on the South Korea Peninsula, as per state-media outlet KCNA.

The drills were aimed at strengthening North Korea’s war deterrence and nuclear counterattack capabilities, according to KCNA. The two-day drills included firing a ballistic missile carrying a mock nuclear warhead.

The US-South Korean exercises involved US Air Force B-1B bombers flying alongside South Korea’s Air Force F-35A fighter jets in a joint air drill held on Sunday. Kim is believed to have taken notice of it.

“The drill also aimed to demonstrate our tougher will to make an actual war response and send a stronger warning to the enemy who expand their war drills for aggression and take a series of military actions strong in their offensive nature, getting undisguised in their explicit attempt to unleash a war against the DPRK in disregard of its repeated warnings,” KCNA wrote.

Kim expressed his satisfaction with the nuclear warhead drill and stated that it is important to continuously conduct such drills to prepare for actual war conditions. The leader is believed to have watched the exercises along with his daughter.

The KCNA also reported that more than 1.4 million North Koreans volunteered to join or re-enlist in the military to fight against South Korean and US troops.

Earlier this year, Kim had called for an increase in North Korea’s nuclear arsenal in response to what he referred to as threats from the US and South Korea.