North Korea says missile launches were part of live-fire drills

North Korea announced on Monday that its recent missile launches on Saturday were conducted as part of a live-fire drill involving long-range artillery and missile units, according to state media KCNA. The "joint firepower attack drill" involved five army units and tested various weapon systems, including attack drones, tactical cruise missiles, tactical ballistic missiles, and large-calibre multiple rocket launchers.

The purpose of the drill, as cited by an artillery director, was to boost the morale of the troops and enhance their capabilities to "completely collapse the enemy" whenever ordered. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that North Korea had fired several short-range ballistic missiles, which flew approximately 250 km (155 miles) towards the sea off its east coast, following a trilateral exercise involving South Korea, the United States, and Japan.

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