Tensions grow on Korean Peninsula as Kim launches tactical nuclear tests

North Korea has conducted a tactical nuclear drill in order to warn its enemies about the country’s military preparedness in the event of a nuclear war on the Korean Peninsula. 

September 2nd saw the hermit kingdom carry out a number of successful exercises that included the launch of two long-range cruise missiles carrying mock nuclear warheads a report from Reuters noted. 

Reuters also reported that North Korean state media explained the missiles were fired toward the West Sea of the Korean Peninsula and flew for 1500 kilometers (930 miles) under a preset altitude. 

The North Korean drills were launched in retaliation for the joint exercises held by South Korea, Japan, and the U.S. codenamed Ulchi Freedom Shield according to state media.

A statement from the Korean Central News Agency noted that the drills were ordered to demonstrate Pyongyang’s ability to deter its enemy's attempts at a war of aggression. 

“The nuclear force of [North Korea] will bolster up its responsible combat counteraction posture in every way to deter war and preserve peace and stability,” KCNA concluded. 

Pyongyang’s nuclear deterrence exercises occurred just days after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warned his naval forces that they needed to be ready for a U.S. invasion. 

In a speech to North Korean naval personnel on Navy Day, Kim denounced the trilateral missile defense exercises being held by the United States, South Korea, and Japan. 

Kim referred to the leaders of each country as “gang bosses” according to North Korean state media and said that they were increasing the risk of nuclear war on the peninsula. 

The “reckless confrontational moves of the U.S. and other hostile forces” turned the waters off the peninsula into the world’s biggest war hardware concentration spot,” Kim said according to state media. 

Kim raised concerns about the intentions of the exercises and told the assembled crowd that the United States was getting more “frantic than ever before” state media reported. 

The North Korean leader also called into question the recent deployment by the United States of “nuclear strategic assets” to the Korean Peninsula on a “permanent basis.” 

Kim’s statement was in reference to the American decision to deploy a nuclear-armed in July to South Korea for the first time in four decades as part of an April agreement with South Korea aimed at upping the strategy of deterrence against North Korea. 

The Associated Press reported deterring North Korea had taken on a new urgency in recent months after Pyongyang threatened to use nuclear weapons in a conflict with its adversaries and test-fired roughly 100 missiles since the beginning of 2022.

The two countries warned in a statement after the inaugural meeting of the Nuclear Consultative Group in Seoul that any “nuclear attack by North Korea against the United States or its allies is unacceptable and will result in the end of that regime.” 

The Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises were part of the new deterrence strategy against North Korea and featured the use of B-1B nuclear-capable bombers Reuters reported.