SEOUL, March 15 (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Saturday oversaw the test-launch of 600mm-calibre multiple rocket launchers, state media KCNA said. "The launched rockets battered the
North Korean leader Kim oversees test-launch of multiple rocket launchers -KCNA
North Korea's Recent Missile Tests and Regional Tensions
Overview of the Test-Launch Event
SEOUL, March 15 (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Saturday oversaw the test-launch of 12 600mm-calibre multiple rocket launchers, state media KCNA said, after the United States and South Korea this week launched annual major drills in South Korea.
Kim Jong Un's Statements and Objectives
He said the drill would expose "the enemies within the 420-km striking range, to uneasiness" and "give them a deep understanding of the destructive power of tactical nuclear weapons.
Visual Documentation of the Launch
Images from state news agency KCNA showed Kim and his daughter and potential successor known as Kim Ju Ae were watching the weapons tests.
Impact and Accuracy of the Rocket Launch
"The launched rockets battered the island target in the East Sea of Korea about 364.4 km away with the accuracy of 100 percent," KCNA said.
Regional and International Reactions
South Korea's Response
South Korea's military said on Saturday that North Korea fired more than 10 ballistic missiles towards the sea off the country's east coast. The missiles were launched from an area near the capital Pyongyang around 1:20 p.m. local time and flew about 350 kilometers, Seoul said.
Statements from North Korean Officials
Last week, North Korea's Kim Yo Jong, the sister of leader Kim Jong Un, said U.S.-South Korea military drills were a "provocative and aggressive war rehearsal" that would harm regional stability. South Korea and Washington say the drills are purely defensive, and aimed at testing readiness against military threats from North Korea.
Future Military Drills
On Sunday, North Korea said it would frequently conduct such regular drills for checking the DPRK's war deterrence.
Background: North Korea's Missile Program and Sanctions
Development of Missile Capabilities
North Korea has test-launched a wide range of ballistic and cruise missiles for more than two decades in a push to develop the means to deliver nuclear weapons, which it is believed to have successfully built.
International Sanctions and Defiance
As a result, Pyongyang has been under multiple U.N. Security Council sanctions since 2006 but it remains defiant, despite severe obstacles they created to its trade, economy and defence.
Diplomatic Efforts and Dialogue
Recent Diplomatic Meetings
On Thursday, South Korea's Prime Minister Kim Min-seok met U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington to discuss ways to reopen dialogue with the North. Trump is eager for any opportunity to sit down with North Korea's Kim Jong Un, South Korea's Kim told reporters.
(Reporting by Hyunjoo Jin; Editing by Andrea Ricci and Chizu Nomiyama )
