North Korea’s missile launches in recent weeks were part of a tactical nuclear exercise the country conducted from September 25 to October 9. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un oversaw and presided over the training, North Korean news agency KCNA reported Monday (local time).
Kim promised to strengthen the country’s military operations in the future and said he had no desire to hold talks with his opponents. The ballistic missile launched on October 4 that flew over Japan, the North Koreans say, is a newly developed one aimed at giving a stronger and clearer warning to the country’s enemies.
North Korea has fired a total of seven ballistic missiles since September 25. Neighboring states South Korea and Japan have strongly condemned the tests, as has the United States. The three countries have responded with their own missile tests and military exercises in the air, among other things.
North and South Korea are actually still at war with each other. That’s because last century’s Korean War ended with a ceasefire, not a peace agreement. Kim’s regime has caused much international unrest in recent years by conducting nuclear tests and testing missiles.