Kim Jong Un oversees key cruise missile test as US-South Korea hold joint military drills: Photos

Kim Jong Un on Monday oversaw cruise missile test as US-South Korea kicked off their annual joint military drill that North Korea sees as a rehearsal for war.

Published on: Aug 21, 2023 9:50 AM IST

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Published on Aug 21, 2023 9:50 AM

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected the Guards 2nd Surface Ship Flotilla of the East Sea Fleet of the Navy of the Korean People's Army on Monday. He oversaw a test of strategic cruise missiles, state media KCNA said. This comes as South Korea and the United States kicked off annual military drills that Pyongyang sees as a rehearsal for war. (via REUTERS)

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Published on Aug 21, 2023 9:50 AM

The launch was aimed at verifying the "combat function of the ship and the feature of its missile system," while improving the sailors' capability to carry out an "attack mission in actual war", KCNA said, noting that the ship's missile hit its target. (via REUTERS)

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Published on Aug 21, 2023 9:50 AM

This undated photo provided on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, by the North Korean government, shows what it says the test-firing of strategic cruise missiles. South Korea's defence ministry said that it had detected signs of the launch, but that the claims in KCNA were "exaggerated" and "different from the facts," without elaborating. (AP)

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Published on Aug 21, 2023 9:50 AM

A TV screen shows an image of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. The latest missile test came as South Korea and the United States began the Ulchi Freedom Shield summer exercises on Monday, designed to enhance their joint responses to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. (AP)

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Published on Aug 21, 2023 9:50 AM

Aboard the ship, Kim vowed to reinforce the navy with "improved combat efficiency and full modern means of surface and underwater offensive and defensive" capabilities, KCNA said. Meanwhile, South Korea's military has said this year's exercises will be held on the "largest scale ever", mobilising tens of thousands of troops from both sides, as well as some member states of the U.N. Command. (via REUTERS)