North Korea Indirectly Warns the U.S. With Nuclear Retaliation Simulation

North Korea has conducted its first nuclear retaliation simulation drill using super-large artillery, with Kim Jong Un in attendance. The super-large artillery is a weapon that North Korea cherishes.

On the 23rd, the North Korean Central News Agency reported that a drill was carried out the previous day using the super-large artillery within the national nuclear weapon management system, referred to as the nuclear trigger. The news agency described the drill as a “clear warning signal to the enemies.”

The drill responded to the ongoing joint fleet exercise (KFT) between South Korea and the United States. The news agency explained that the drill was a response to the “endless military provocations of hostile forces trying to crush our republic by force.”

The exercise garnered attention for its utilization of super-large artillery shells equipped with nuclear warhead simulators.

Photos released by the news agency depict the firing of four super-large artillery shells, each launched from a mobile platform known as a Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL).

North Korea reported that the fired artillery shells struck a target on an island at a range of 352 km (219 miles).

These artillery shells are part of a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) system, with a range of 400 km (249 miles) from the 600 mm super-large artillery.

Designated as the KN-25 by South Korean and U.S. authorities, it is the world’s largest and capable of reaching targets such as the Gyeryongdae and Gunsan bases in South Chungcheong Province from Pyongyang, showing its strategic focus on South Korea.

In North Korea, it is referred to as the monster artillery. The Workers’ Party is promoting its patent on this artillery.

In the past, North Korean Central TV introduced it as “the world’s only super-powerful weapon under the direct initiation and guidance of our party.”

Kim Jong Un expressed satisfaction with the drill, saying it was “like watching a sniper rifle shooting.”

He was quoted saying, “Our tactical nuclear attack means boasting formidable power are being strictly prepared to be faithfully mobilized in a serious strategic mission in a quick and thorough retaliatory posture.”

The Ministry of National Defense strongly warned against North Korea’s artillery mobilization training.

Jeon Ha Gyu, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, said in a regular briefing, “If North Korea dares to use nuclear weapons, it will face the immediate, overwhelming, and decisive response of the U.S.-ROK alliance, and the North Korean regime will meet its end.”

Military authorities have assessed the claim that North Korean artillery was equipped with a nuclear warhead simulator as exaggerated. They interpreted this negatively, suggesting that North Korea has not yet concluded its experimentation with mini-tactical nuclear weapons.

The Ministry of Unification reportedly emphasized, “We denounce North Korea for once again violating the UN Security Council resolution and threatening nuclear weapons using the U.S.-ROK joint exercise as an excuse.”

Meanwhile, the South Korean and U.S. Air Forces have been engaged in an extensive joint fleet exercise at Gunsan Air Base since the 12th.

This joint fleet exercise is routine training designed to enhance the operational effectiveness of military aircraft in various missions, including air-to-air and air-to-ground operations, surveillance, and transportation, all within a wartime scenario. It encompasses drills focused on joint precision strike capabilities and combat search and rescue exercises.

Many South Korean and U.S. fighter jets, transport aircraft, uncrewed attack aircraft, and electronic warfare aircraft participated.