According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally oversaw the drill on Sunday. During the inspection, Kim emphasized the necessity of bolstering the country’s military capabilities. He stated that maintaining and expanding nuclear deterrence is a “crucial strategic task,” which requires continuous verification, performance upgrades, and the mastery of operational capabilities regarding the key components of the nation’s war deterrent.
State media described the objective of the drill as a verification of the hypersonic weapon system’s readiness and mission execution capabilities. The test was also intended to ensure that troops are proficient in operating the hardware, allowing the military to assess the sustainability, effectiveness, and activation status of North Korea’s war deterrence.
