Strategic Missile Launching Drill Conducted in Eastern Region of DPRK

At dawn of October ３, a drill was staged to launch an intermediate-range strategic missile from an eastern region of the DPRK toward the East Sea of Korea.

The drill was conducted as part of the efforts to train the missile soldiers operating the hypersonic strategic weapon system in handling their equipment and evaluate the reliability, efficiency and mobility of the DPRK’s war deterrent.

Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, oversaw the launching drill on the spot.

Among the spectators were Kim Jong Sik, first vice department director of the C.C., WPK, and Jang Chang Ha, general director of the Missile Administration of the DPRK.

Noting that it is a very important measure for ensuring national security and a responsible action of our army to build up the powerful and reliable nuclear deterrent through sustained verification of major components of the war deterrent, improvement of their performance and mastery of the capabilities for their successful operation and to show the counterattack means of our army in constant mobilization posture, Comrade Kim Jong Un said:

"Through today’s launching drill, the strategic missile soldiers have fully demonstrated their professional qualifications and counterattack posture, clearly showing that they are very good at operating the major offensive weapon system and they are always available for mobilization. They also added confidence to our deterrent.

I highly appreciate commanding officers and soldiers of the missile unit who participated in the drill.

We must continue our responsible efforts nonstop to constantly and repeatedly make the enemy recognize the reliability and fatality of our strategic offensive means.

This is a form of exercising deterrent.

As always expressed clearly, such activities on our part are definitely aimed at more rapidly developing the country’s nuclear war deterrent.

This is indispensable for protecting national security and stability in today’s geopolitical environment. There will be no change in such view and line of ours.

We must deter various threats by dint of powerful deterrent and ensure a safer environment for the building and activities of our state."

The missile used in the drill was launched towards the northeast direction and hit the target point at ４３°３６’ ２８.０４" latitude and １３８°００’ ４７.０２" longitude, １ ０００ km away on the East Sea of Korea.

Comrade Kim Jong Un expressed expectation and belief that all the missile forces would remain faithful to their missions of defending the sovereignty and security of the Republic in a responsible combat posture.

Political News Team