![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/Kim-Jong-Un-1680475.jpg?r=1665367738560\")
<\/p>\nWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n
The announcement appears to have acted as a warning to Seoul in response to large-scale navy drills involving South Korean and US forces, CNA said on Monday. Officials in Seoul and Tokyo confirmed that North Korea had fired two ballistic missiles early on Sunday, the seventh such launch since September 25.<\/p>\n
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un guided supervised exercises by nuclear tactical operation units involving ballistic missiles with mock nuclear warheads, according to KCNA.<\/p>\n
The agency added that the exercises were designed as a deterrent.<\/p>\n
It added that they simulated the targeting of military command facilities including hitting ports and airports in South Korea.<\/p>\n
They said: “The effectiveness and practical combat capability of our nuclear combat force were fully demonstrated as it stands completely ready to hit and destroy targets at any time from any location.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Even though the enemy continues to talk about dialogue and negotiations, we do not have anything to talk about nor do we feel the need to do so,” KCNA quoted Kim Jong Un as saying.<\/p>\n
KCNA explained that the ruling Workers’ Party had decided to conduct the drills as a response to the mobilisation of US and South Korean naval forces.<\/p>\n
This included the involvement of an aircraft carrier and a nuclear-powered submarine.<\/p>\n
Ankit Panda, from the US-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said that the statement indicated that the tests were a way of demonstrating Pyongyang’s “resolve” in light of the military drills.<\/p>\n
He said: “The statement they’ve released is crystal clear that this recent spate of tests was their way of signaling resolve to the United States and South Korea as they carried out military activities of their own.”<\/p>\n
On Friday, the US and South Korea held joint maritime exercises, including the Ronald Reagan American aircraft carrier.<\/p>\n
The exercise came only a day after South Korea had scrambled fighter jets in reaction to an apparent North Korean aerial bombing drill.<\/p>\n
Before Friday’s drill the US, South Korean and Japanese navies had conducted their own joint exercises.<\/p>\n