North Korea Conducts Nuclear Counterattack Drills

North Korea carried out what it described as a “nuclear counterattack” drill this week, testing its nuclear trigger system designed to assess the readiness and deployment capabilities of its nuclear deterrence forces.

According to a statement released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the exercises and emphasized the need to enhance the long-range strike capabilities of the country’s armed forces.

600mm multiple-launch rocket systems and the Hwasong-11 (KN-23) tactical ballistic missile were both used. KCNA reported that the missiles flew for 800km before falling into the ocean.

This marks the second known drill of this kind conducted by Pyongyang this year, following a similar exercise in February.

Last month, Kim asserted that North Korea's navy must be equipped with nuclear weapons, stating that conventional arms were no longer sufficient to serve as a credible deterrent.

The uptick in nuclear-related activities appears to be a direct response to ongoing joint military drills between the United States and South Korea. In April, the U.S. deployed long-range B-1B bombers to the Korean Peninsula for joint exercises—an action strongly condemned by Pyongyang.

Washington is reportedly weighing the permanent deployment of strategic bombers to the region amid rising tensions, though the issue has received limited international attention due to broader global instability.

While there have been reports that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is interested in reopening dialogue with North Korea—as occurred during his first term—Pyongyang’s growing military capabilities and its deepening ties with Russia may now make such talks unlikely.

North Korea and Russia have recently activated a mutual defense pact, following North Korean troops assisting Russian forces in repelling a Ukrainian incursion into Russia’s Kursk region. The Kremlin has since confirmed it would defend North Korea if attacked, reaffirming the mutual defense clause of the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, signed between Moscow and Pyongyang in June last year.

Kim had reportedly been open to discussing denuclearization following his 2018 meeting with Trump, but current developments suggest North Korea may no longer feel compelled to engage with Washington or consider disarmament.