North Korean media calls for strengthening nuclear power after US ICBM test

Earlier, on November 1, the US Air Force launched a Minuteman III missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead from a base in California. However, the missile was blown up after an abnormality was detected.

The test was attended by South Korean defense officials in their first visit since 2016.

A North Korean military commentator said that although the test failed, the presence of the South Korean side showed that US nuclear weapons were aimed at North Korea.

“North Korea will continue its military actions to bolster its deterrence and ensure strategic security on the Korean Peninsula and the region,” the unnamed commentator said in a KCNA report.

The commentary also criticized the US and South Korea over recent military moves, including the deployment of US nuclear-capable strategic bombers to South Korea.

“The nuclear threat posed by the US and its vassal forces to the DPRK is approaching a new red line,” the North Korean commentator said, calling for strengthening “self-defense nuclear armed forces.”

South Korea's Unification Ministry, which handles inter-Korean affairs, said the commentary raised questions about whether North Korea was preparing to use it as a pretext for another "military provocation."

According to Reuters, South Korea held a joint military exercise with the United States and Japan near the Korean Peninsula last month, involving US B-52 strategic bombers as well as fighter jets from the three countries.

The US and South Korea also held air drills involving 130 fighter jets from both countries to simulate wartime operations for 24 hours last month.

South Korea and the United States said their drills were aimed at maintaining combat readiness in response to North Korea.

North Korea has denounced the drills as preparations by the US and its ally South Korea to invade the country.