North Korea Conducts Mock ‘Nuclear Attack’ To 'Warn Enemies' After US, South Korea Joint Drill

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un also visited Pukjung Machine Complex, which manufactures marine engines, and a munitions plant.

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North Korea conducted a simulated tactical nuclear strike rehearsal with two long-range cruise missiles on Sunday in order to "warn enemies" that the nation would be prepared in the event of nuclear war, according to the KCNA state news agency. According to KCNA, the practise was a success on Saturday, as two cruise missiles carrying dummy nuclear bombs were launched into the West Sea of the Korean peninsula and flew 1,500 kilometres (930 miles) at a predetermined height of 150 metres.

Pyongyang also stated that it will strengthen its military deterrent against the US and South Korea, Reuters reported.

According to Seoul's Yonhap News, the claim of success may be exaggerated because "not all of them succeeded," quoting a senior officer at the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un also visited Pukjung Machine Complex, which manufactures marine engines, and a munitions plant, according to KCNA, to emphasise the necessity of upgrading Pyongyang's naval capabilities.

"He affirmed that a future plenary meeting of the Central Committee of the WPK (Worker's Party of Korea) would set forth an important modernization of the complex and the development direction of the shipbuilding industry," a KCNA statement was quoted by Reuters in its report. 

The date of his visit was not specified.

The latest missile launch occurred just after the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield drills between South Korea and the United States concluded on Thursday. It included B-1B bomber air exercises.

North Korea has increased its military deterrent against Washington and Seoul, and it has criticised the two countries' summit agreement last month on boosting military cooperation.

Kim recently visited a military fleet stationed on the east coast to witness a test of strategic cruise missiles aboard a warship, according to KCNA, and he emphasised that the ship will retain striking strength for wartime scenarios.