The Democratic People's Republic of Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that the drills Pyongyang had conducted over the weekend simulated a tactical nuclear counterattack.

According to the news agency, Kim Jong Un, the country's Supreme Leader, personally oversaw the drills, which included the launch of a ballistic missile, in order to verify the proper operation of nuclear explosion control devices and detonators. 

KCNA reported that Kim Jong Un "stressed the need to let service personnel get familiar with any unexpected circumstances and make them more perfectly prepared in their active posture of making an immediate and overwhelming nuclear counterattack anytime."

On Sunday, at 11:05 am local time, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff stated that it detected the launch of a short-range ballistic missile from the Tongchang-ri area in the DPRK. The missile, which reached about 800km, according to the South Korean military, landed outside of Japan's exclusive economic zone.

DPRK tests Hwasong-17 ICBM

Three days ago, the DPRK test-fired its Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) as the US and South Korea began conducting their largest joint military exercise in 5 years spanning over ten days.

"A most unstable situation is being created on the Korean Peninsula due to provocative and aggressive large-scale military exercises, conducted by the United States and their South Korean puppets, and aimed against DPRK," a report by the DPRK's Voice of Korea radio station said.

"Amid those serious circumstances, a decision has been made <…> to hold a test launch of a Hwasong-17 ICBM on March 16," it stressed.

The missile was launched from Pyongyang. It traveled 1,000 meters and reached a maximum altitude of 6,045 kilometers. The missile took about 67 minutes to reach its target in the Sea of Japan.

"The test launch had no negative effect on the security of neighboring countries. It confirmed full combat readiness of North Korea’s strategic armed forces," the state radio said.

The launch was overseen by DPRK leader Kim Jong Un who was accompanied by his daughter.

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