Kim Jong-un gives nuclear alert order – media

This was reported by Ukrinform with reference to the North Korean state news agency KCNA.

According to the KCNA news agency, the latest test was carried out to warn “enemies who seriously threaten the country's security and contribute to increasing confrontation” and to demonstrate “the readiness of various means of the nuclear arsenal.”

“The responsible task and duty of the DPRK's nuclear armed forces is to constantly protect national sovereignty and security with a reliable nuclear shield, ensuring higher combat readiness of nuclear forces and full readiness for their use,” media outlets quote Kim Jong-un as saying.

The test-launch took place on Feb. 26 over waters off the western coast of the Korean Peninsula. South Korean military officials said Friday they had seen signs that North Korea was preparing to launch a missile and were tracking several cruise missiles.

North Korea has been developing strategic cruise missiles designed to deliver nuclear warheads for years. The UN Security Council has banned North Korea from developing nuclear weapons and has imposed sanctions for doing so.

The missile test announcement came the same week that Kim visited several military academies, stressing the importance of ideological and tactical training for young officers.

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Kim did not mention specific countries when he spoke of warning “enemies,” but as journalists note, he appeared to continue his tough talks against the United States and South Korea despite US President Donald Trump’s stated intention to resume talks with North Korea. Trump held unprecedented meetings with Kim during his first term in the White House, although those talks did not lead to North Korea’s denuclearization.

As reported by Ukrinform, in early February, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said that North Korea would continue to build up its nuclear arsenal and provide further support for Russia's war against Ukraine.