North Korea conducted a strike drill on March 14, firing more than 10 rounds from its 600mm ultra-precision multiple launch rocket system into the East Sea. The weapons are classified as ballistic missiles.
Kim Jong Un, who observed the drill, stated the weapons would "create anxiety for enemies within the 420km range," emphasizing their role as tactical nuclear weapons capable of targeting South Korea.
The launch comes amid U.S. President Donald Trump's expressed interest in dialogue with Pyongyang, prompting analysts to suggest North Korea aims to reinforce its status as a nuclear-armed state.
The Korean Central News Agency reported on March 15 that the drill involved 12 launchers from the 600mm ultra-precision multiple rocket system and two artillery companies from the People's Army's 4th District long-range artillery units. The rockets flew 364.4km over the East Sea, striking island targets with 100% accuracy, according to the report.
Kim, accompanied by his daughter Ju-ae, said the drill's purpose was to "let the military do its job" and to "make enemies within the 420km range feel anxious and recognize the destructive power of tactical nuclear weapons." The statement underscored the weapons' intended targets: the Seoul metropolitan area and U.S. military bases in South Korea.
This marks North Korea's first ballistic missile launch in 47 days since January 27 and the third this year. Analysts interpret the drill as a show of force against the ongoing South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises that began on March 9.
The timing—shortly after Trump expressed willingness for dialogue with North Korea during a meeting with South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok—suggests the message was directed at Washington.
"This is meant to continuously remind the United States of North Korea's status as a nuclear power and pressure Washington into a decisive shift in attitude toward dialogue," said Hong Min, senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification.
Meanwhile, North Korea held elections for its Supreme People's Assembly on the same day, equivalent to South Korea's National Assembly elections. The elections, typically held every five years, took place seven years after the previous vote in 2019, apparently to align with the five-year cycle of the Workers' Party Congress. Under North Korea's system, only one candidate is nominated per district, meaning all candidates are expected to win unopposed.
