(2nd LD) N. Korean leader inspects long-range cruise missile launches by 'tactical nuke' units

(ATTN: ADDS comments from unification ministry official in paras 7-8; REPLACES photos)
By Yi Wonju

SEOUL, Oct. 13 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspected the test-firing of long-range strategic cruise missiles involving units operating "tactical nukes" earlier this week aimed at strengthening the country's war deterrence, Pyongyang's state media said Thursday.

On Wednesday, the North fired two long-range strategic cruise missiles that flew for "10,234 seconds along an oval and pattern-8 flight orbits in the sky above the West Sea of Korea and clearly hit the target 2,000 km away," the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said in an English-language report.

The launches were conducted in order to further enhance the "combat efficiency and might" of the missiles deployed at the units of the Korean People's Army for the operation of tactical nukes and reconfirm the reliability of the overall operational application system, according to the KCNA.

Kim expressed satisfaction over the "high reaction capabilities of our nuclear combat forces which proved again their full preparedness for actual war to bring the enemies under their control at a blow through the unconditional, mobile, precise and powerful counterstrike by any weapon system," the KCNA said.

Stressing that the test-fire is another "clear warning to the enemies" and a demonstration of the country's deterrence capabilities, he called for the continued expansion of the "operational sphere of the nuclear strategic armed forces" to deter any crucial military and war crisis.

Kim also urged all efforts for the "endless and accelerating" development of the national nuclear combat armed forces.

South Korea's unification ministry urged the North to immediately cease its provocations and change its approach toward President Yoon Suk-yeol's "audacious initiative" to help rebuild its economy in return for denuclearization steps.

"In coordination with the relevant authorities, we are keeping close tabs on North Korea with a sense of alertness under the view that the current security situation is grave," a ministry official told reporters on the customary condition of anonymity.

North Korea has been ratcheting up tensions on the Korean Peninsula recently, with seven rounds of provocative ballistic missile launches in just two weeks.

The KCNA earlier reported that the North conducted an exercise of its tactical nuclear operation units from Sept. 25 to Oct. 9 in response to joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States.

julesyi@yna.co.kr
(END)