North Korea Conducts Simulated Nuclear Strikes on South Korea and Practices Territorial Occupation

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On Thursday, North Korea announced that its most recent missile tests were designed to simulate “scorched earth” nuclear attacks on South Korea. Additionally, the nation revealed that it has been conducting exercises aimed at occupying territories of its southern neighbor in the event of hostilities.

While North Korea has previously conducted tests of nuclear-capable missiles and offered descriptions of their usage in potential conflicts with South Korea and the United States, this latest revelation represents an explicit articulation of its aggressive nuclear strategy. Observers suggest that this move aims to deter its adversaries, especially in light of ongoing military drills between South Korea and the U.S., which North Korea perceives as a significant security threat.

According to the official Korean Central News Agency, North Korea’s military launched two tactical ballistic missiles from its capital, Pyongyang, on Wednesday evening. These missiles were intended to practice “scorched earth strikes” on key command centers and operational airfields in South Korea. The military indicated that the missiles successfully completed their simulated airburst strikes, implying that the dummy warheads detonated at predetermined altitudes.

North Korea stated that these missile tests were conducted in response to the U.S.’ deployment of long-range B-1B bombers over the Korean Peninsula for a joint aerial exercise with South Korea earlier on Wednesday. The Korean People’s Army (KPA) General Staff declared such an aerial drill a serious threat, claiming it mirrors the plans for a preemptive nuclear strike against North Korea.

This marks the latest in a series of missile tests North Korea has undertaken since the previous year. Assessments from South Korean and Japanese authorities indicate that the two short-range missiles covered distances between 360 and 400 kilometers, reaching a maximum altitude of 50 kilometers, before falling into the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff denounced the missile tests as a “serious provocation,” contravening United Nations Security Council resolutions that prohibit North Korea from launching ballistic missiles. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the defense of South Korea and Japan.

In coordination with the U.S., both South Korean and Japanese air forces conducted aerial exercises using B-1B bombers on Wednesday. North Korea has been particularly sensitive to the deployment of these bombers, even though they were converted to carry conventional weapons in the 1990s.

The U.S. and South Korean militaries recently commenced their Ulchi Freedom Shield computer-simulated exercises, involving more than 30 kinds of field drills. North Korea views these major U.S.-led military activities as preparations for an invasion.

According to state media, Kim Jong-un recently visited an army post where drills were conducted in response to the joint South Korean-U.S. military exercises. These drills aim to practice occupying South Korean territory in the event of war. Analysts, such as Cheong Seong-Chang from the private Sejong Institute in South Korea, interpret this as North Korea having operational plans for full-scale military offensives, including nuclear and EMP attacks, to forcibly unify the Korean Peninsula.

South Korea’s Unification Ministry strongly condemned North Korea’s explicit intentions for aggression and warned of a resolute response from South Korea, the U.S., and Japan should such provocations persist.

This marks the first time that North Korean state media has reported on command post drills involving its entire military since Kim Jong-un assumed power in late 2011. The country has been increasingly assertive in its nuclear posture, adopting a law last year that authorizes the preemptive use of nuclear weapons under various conditions.

Kim Jong-un has been vigorously pushing to enlarge and update the country’s weapons arsenal. Despite the recent failure of its second spy satellite launch, North Korea plans another attempt in October. Experts speculate that Kim seeks to leverage his expanding weapons capabilities to extract concessions from the U.S. in future diplomatic talks.

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More about North Korea Nuclear Simulation

• North Korea’s Missile Tests: An Analysis
• Understanding the South Korea-U.S. Military Exercises
• UN Security Council Resolutions on North Korea
• Overview of North Korea’s Nuclear Program
• A Look at the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s Strategy
• The History of North Korea-South Korea Relations
• North Korea’s Aggressive Nuclear Doctrine: An Academic Perspective
• The Implications of North Korea’s Tactical Ballistic Missiles
• South Korea’s Defense Strategy against North Korean Threats
• The Diplomatic Landscape between North Korea and the United States