North Korea warns against US-South Korea war drills with missile launch

by IANS |

Seoul, March 18 (IANS) The strategic forces of North Korea (the Democratic People's Republic of Korea) has conducted an intercontinental ballistic missile launch drill as a gesture of warning against the ongoing US-South Korea war drills, said a state media report on Friday.

A Hwasongpho-17 was launched on Thursday from the Pyongyang International Airport, climbing up to a maximum altitude of 6,045 km and flying a distance of some 1,000 km before accurately landing on a preset area in the open waters off the eastern coast, the DPRK's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.

The DPRK's top leader Kim Jong Un, who presided over the launching event, applauded the reliability of the operating systems of the country's nuclear strategic forces, said the KCNA report.

Meanwhile, Kim took the occasion to reiterate the DPRK's "resolute will to respond with a nuke for nuke and an all-out confrontation for an all-out confrontation," and asked the strategic forces to strictly maintain a rapid response capability in the event of any armed conflict and war, the report added.

In tandem with the latest missile launch, the country's main newspaper Rodong Sinmun published a commentary on Friday, underscoring that the Hwasongpho-17, which was launched a day earlier, should serve as clear evidence that "the DPRK nuclear forces are not for advertisement."

Citing the DPRK law on the policy of nuclear-armed forces, the article said the country would make a resolute response to anyone trying to encroach upon its sovereignty and security.

"The United States should stop at once the reckless military provocations and war drills against the DPRK," the commentary said.

South Korea and the United States on Monday kicked off the Freedom Shield exercises, an annual large-scale joint military drill, which would last until March 23.

Latest News
Hungry thief who cooked himself a meal in Kerala hotel before fleeing with Rs 25,000 arrested Wed, Jun 18, 2025, 02:23 PM
Panchayati Raj Ministry to join Bhashini to boost e-governance at grassroot level Wed, Jun 18, 2025, 02:21 PM
MP: Another incident of same-sex marriage comes to light in Chhatarpur village Wed, Jun 18, 2025, 02:05 PM
Bhopal's meme-famous '90-degree' bridge to be redesigned Wed, Jun 18, 2025, 01:55 PM
Karnataka Minister expresses concern over child marriages; pulls up authorities Wed, Jun 18, 2025, 01:54 PM
SC expresses shock on Madras HC directive to arrest Tamil Nadu ADGP Jayaram Wed, Jun 18, 2025, 01:53 PM
Centre launches Rs 3,000 FASTag annual pass for cars to ease highway drive Wed, Jun 18, 2025, 01:53 PM
J&K cabinet to discuss today report on reservations in govt jobs Wed, Jun 18, 2025, 01:52 PM
Youth lynched in Bengal's Bankura for rape & murder of minor girl Wed, Jun 18, 2025, 01:37 PM
'It'll be a bit weird not seeing No. 18...': Stokes feels India will miss Virat's 'fighting spirit' in England Tests Wed, Jun 18, 2025, 01:30 PM
No India-US trade talks, mediation mention during Op Sindoor: PM Modi to Trump Wed, Jun 18, 2025, 01:23 PM
Indian defence entities projected to see revenue expansion of 15-17 pc in FY26: Report Wed, Jun 18, 2025, 01:12 PM
Great step toward global progress: Hindu Canadian Foundation on PM Modi-Carney meet Wed, Jun 18, 2025, 12:49 PM
US Prez Trump invited PM Modi to US, says FS Misri Wed, Jun 18, 2025, 12:33 PM
Axiom Mission 4 launch to ISS rescheduled for June 22 Wed, Jun 18, 2025, 12:24 PM