North Korea confirms September 2 missile launch nuclear attack simulation

North Korean media reported on September 3 that a simulated "tactical nuclear attack" drill was conducted. It included two long-range cruise missiles and was carried out during Kim Jong Un's inspection of shipbuilding and munitions factories. 

"A firing drill for a simulated tactical nuclear attack was conducted at dawn of September 2 to warn the enemies of the actual nuclear war danger." stated KRT news reader. 

This information comes following reports of a cruise missile launch on  September 2, with international intelligence agencies scrambling to determine the nature of the weapons and the purpose of the launch.

The North's state-run television KRT said the drill was carried out early on September 2 to "warn enemies" that the country would be prepared in case of nuclear war as Pyongyang again vowed to bolster military deterrence against Washington and Seoul.

The two cruise missiles carrying mock nuclear warheads were fired toward the West Sea of the Korean peninsula and flew 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) at an altitude of 150 meters.

"The long-range strategic cruise missiles were fired toward the West Sea of Korea. (The missile sub-unit) successfully carried out its nuclear strike mission by making sure that the missiles flew along the pattern '8' flight track simulating the distance of 1,500 kilometers for 7,672-7,681 seconds respectively and their warheads detonated at a present altitude of 150 meters above the target island." said KRT News Reader

This drill coincides with joint military exercises conducted by South Korea and The United States to improve maritime defense and bolster missile defense systems.  It also follows North Korea's launch of short-range ballistics missiles to simulate a nuclear attack on August 31.