Missile Launch Drill

In the early dawn of October 3, a medium‑range strategic missile launch drill was conducted from the eastern region of our country toward the East Sea of Korea.

The drill was carried out both to train missile troops in the fire‑service operation of a hypersonic strategic weapons system, and as part of an evaluation of the reliability, effectiveness, and operational readiness of our 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, observed the launch drill on site.

Kim Jong Sik, First Deputy Director of the WPK Central Committee, and Jang Chang Ha, Director of the DPRK Missile General Bureau, also observed the drill.

Comrade Kim Jong Un stated that continuously verifying, improving the performance of, and mastering the operational capability of the major components of the war deterrent — and demonstrating that our military’s counterstrike assets are in a constant state of mobilization readiness — is a very important measure and a responsible activity for ensuring national security. He said:

“Through today’s launch drill, the strategic missile troops fully displayed their highly skilled professional qualifications in operating an important offensive weapons system and showed without reserve their readiness to be mobilized at any moment, thereby providing confidence in our deterrent.
I highly appreciate the commanders and soldiers of the missile units who participated in the drill.
We must ceaselessly and repeatedly make our adversaries recognize the reliability and lethality of our strategic offensive means through responsible efforts.
This is one form of exercising deterrence.
As we transparently state every time, our activities are aimed at further upgrading the nation’s nuclear war deterrent, and there is nothing to hide.
In today’s geopolitical environment, this is essential for safeguarding the security and stability of the state. There can be no change in our viewpoint or line.
With powerful deterrence, we must control various threats and ensure a safer environment for our national construction and activities.”

The missile used in the drill was launched toward the northeast and hit its designated target point in the East Sea of Korea at a distance of 1,000 km, at latitude 43°36′28.04″ and longitude 138°00′47.02″.

Comrade Kim Jong Un expressed his expectation and confidence that the entire missile force will faithfully carry out the mission of safeguarding the Republic’s sovereign security with responsible combat readiness.