North Korea is set to launch its first military reconnaissance satellite in June, which it claims is for monitoring US activities. The move has drawn criticism over its potential use of banned missile technology. The launch would be the North's latest in a series of missile launches and weapons tests, including one of a new, solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile last month. Japan and South Korea have condemned the move, calling it a violation of UN sanctions, while the US State Department has warned that any North Korean launch using ballistic missile technology would violate UN resolutions.
North Korea conducted its fifth missile demonstration this month, simulating a nuclear attack on South Korea with a ballistic missile launch over the weekend. The missile, which flew about 500 miles, was tipped with a mock nuclear warhead and detonated as intended 800 yards above water at a spot that simulated an unspecified “major enemy target.” The launch was the final step of a two-day drill that also involved nuclear command and control exercises and training military units to switch more quickly into nuclear counterattack posture, properly handle nuclear weapons systems and execute attack plans. The North’s leader Kim Jong Un instructed his military to hold more drills to sharpen the war readiness of his nuclear forces in the face of “aggression” by his enemies.
North Korea conducted its fifth missile test this month, simulating a nuclear attack on South Korea with a ballistic missile launch over the weekend. The missile, which flew about 800 kilometers, was tipped with a mock nuclear warhead and detonated as intended 800 meters above water at a spot that simulated an unspecified "major enemy target." The North's leader, Kim Jong Un, instructed his military to hold more drills to sharpen the war readiness of his nuclear forces in the face of "aggression" by his enemies. The missile test was a "stronger warning" to the United States and South Korea, who are "undisguised in their explicit attempt to unleash a war" against the North, according to KCNA.
