Pyongyang says Monday launch was nuclear counter-attack simulation

North Korea on Tuesday said that it has carried out a nuclear counter-attack simulation "involving super-large multiple rocket artillerymen."

State-controlled news agency KCNA reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the Monday launches, the first demonstration of Pyongyang's new nuclear-weapons management and control system called "Haekbangashoe," or "nuclear trigger."

Kim had expressed his satisfaction with the test, KCNA reported. The missiles fired hit their target in the sea within a radius of 352 kilometres.

"The joint tactical exercise has significantly increased the power and effectiveness of our nuclear force, which includes super-sized multiple launch rocket systems," Kim was quoted as saying.

According to South Korea's General Staff, North Korea on Monday fired several suspected ballistic missiles toward the open sea.

North Korea is prohibited by UN resolutions from launching or even testing ballistic missiles of any range.

The suspected short-range missiles were said to have flown about 300 kilometres eastwards from an area around the capital Pyongyang after the launch on Monday. They crashed into the sea.

Depending on the design, ballistic missiles can also be equipped with a nuclear warhead. Despite international sanctions, North Korea continues to test nuclear-capable missiles and other weapons systems. Pyongyang said it most recently tested a warhead for a strategic cruise missile and anti-aircraft missiles on Friday.

South Korea's military accused North Korea of further provocation. Kim Myung Soo, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, consulted with the commander of the US Armed Forces Space Command, Stephen Whiting, in Seoul on how they can expand cooperation against threats from North Korea.

KCNA said that Monday's drill was a "clear warning signal" to the United States and South Korea as it was carried out amid joint military exercises.

Washington and Seoul "have incited extreme war fever through one hundred sorties on a daily average, openly talking about an 'advance' towards [North Korea] after completely taking off their mask of 'defence' and 'deterrence' said in the previous drills."

Tensions on the peninsula are very high. Since the beginning of 2022, North Korea has significantly increased the scope of its weapons tests, including the testing of nuclear-capable missiles, and has stepped up its rhetoric against the US and South Korea, both of which Pyongyang considers to be enemy states.

Washington and Seoul have expanded their military cooperation, including joint manoeuvres.