On Monday, the Hermit Kingdom of North Korea admitted what is behind its increased aggression against its neighbor, South Korea. Recent missile tests were meant to be practice to “mercilessly” attack South Korean and American targets, including air bases, with a ravaging of missiles and likely “nuclear-capable weapons,” according to the Associated Press report. The tests involved ballistic missiles loaded with dispersion warheads and other warheads meant to “annihilate” enemy aircraft:
The North’s announcement underscored leader Kim Jong Un’s determination not to back down in the face of his rivals’ push to expand their military exercises. But some experts say Kim also used their drills as an excuse to modernize his nuclear arsenal and increase his leverage in future dealings with Washington and Seoul.
North Korea fired dozens of missiles and flew warplanes toward the sea last week — triggering evacuation alerts in some South Korean and Japanese areas — in protest of massive U.S.-South Korean air force drills that the North views as an invasion rehearsal.
U.S. and South Korean officials responded they would further enhance their joint training events and warned the North that the use of nuclear weapons would result in the end of Kim’s regime.
“The recent corresponding military operations by the Korean People’s Army are a clear answer of (North Korea) that the more persistently the enemies’ provocative military moves continue, the more thoroughly and mercilessly the KPA will counter them,” the General Staff of North Korea’s military said in a statement carried by state media.
According to South Korean officials, that is the closest attack on the country since North Korea split off in 1948. The recent drills, which are reported to be a “rehearsal” for an invasion, included around 240 warplanes, which also meant flying F-35 jets equipped for land strike missions.
