North Korea test-fires missile simulating preemptive attack on South Korea

(Baonghean.vn) - North Korea said on July 20 that the three ballistic missile tests on July 19 simulated a preemptive strike on South Korean ports and airports being used by the US military..

One of three ballistic missiles test-launched by North Korea on July 19. Photo: Yonhap.

Earlier, on July 19, the South Korean military said three ballistic missiles flew a distance of 500 to 600 km and landed in waters off the country's east coast.

North Korea's KCNA news agency said leader Kim Jong Un personally supervised the test launch of three missiles, which were said to be successful.

"The test was conducted under conditions of limited firing range to simulate an attack on ports and airfields in South Korea where US troops are stationed," KCNA said.

"This test-fire once again checked the features of the nuclear warhead detonation device mounted on the ballistic rocket at the designated altitude in the target area," KCNA added.

Leader Kim Jong-un (center) directly supervised the test launch of three missiles on July 19. Photo: Yonhap

However, Yang Uk, a senior researcher at the Korea Defense Security Forum, said there was little evidence that North Korea had succeeded in developing nuclear warheads for missiles.

"But this is a reminder that North Korea continues to pursue its nuclear warhead program, and escalates tensions on the Korean peninsula," Yang Uk added.

The missile launch on July 19 was seen as a response after South Korea and the US agreed to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in Seongju town, North Gyeongsang province, southern South Korea.

Thanh Hien

(According to Reuters)