North Korea conducts drills simulating nuclear counterattack

SEOUL - North Korea conducted military drills simulating a nuclear counterattack over the weekend, the state-owned Korean Central News Agency said Monday.

According to KCNA, the military s tactical nuclear operation unit began the two-day exercise on Saturday and test-fired a ballistic missile on Sunday - likely the projectile that fell in the Sea of Japan the same day. The report shows that Pyongyang showed its nuclear capability as a result of joint military drills conducted by the United States and South Korea from March 13.

KCNA said a series of drills were conducted by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to confirm such procedures as a military unit receiving an order on Saturday to launch a nuclear strike and the execution of the attack the following day.

The missile, launched from Cholsan County in North Pyongan Province, carried a fake nuclear warhead that flew 800 kilometers eastward before detonating, exactly as planned, 800 meters above the Sea of Japan, according to the news agency.

KCNA said the drills confirmed the reliability of the equipment and the nuclear warhead's detonation control system.

Kim was quoted by the news agency as saying that nuclear weapons alone can't deter war. He said that the North can only fulfill its mission of deterring war by having a fully prepared nuclear strike posture that can be used quickly and accurately at any time.

Apparently with the U.S. South Korea exercises in mind, Kim also stated that enemies were aggressively moving against North Korea day by day, and he stated his intention to enhance Pyongyang's nuclear capability, mentioning challenges in preparation for war.

During the missile test, Kim was reportedly accompanied by a girl, thought to be his daughter Ju Ae.