North Korea Orders ‘Long-Range Strike’ Drill – State Media

Multiple media reports – including one from Pyongyang’s official news agency – say following two short-range ballistic missile launches by North Korea this past week, the secretive nation is now preparing for a long-range launch drill as well.

Russia Today reports tensions on the Korean Peninsula are on the rise again, especially after the U.S. seized a North Korean cargo ship.

The report says following the short-range launches, North Korean leader Kim Jong un approved a long-strike drill as well, according to government-run KCNA.

North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un has commanded his military to maintain a "full-combat posture" as tensions continue to rise with the U.S. following the missile launches, CBS News reported.

Kim said “genuine peace and security of the country are guaranteed only by the strong physical force capable of defending its sovereignty,” KCNA reported, RT reported.

North Korea's state media avoided specifying what the weapons launched earlier in the week were, but the U.S. military says they were three short-range ballistic missiles.

President Trump said it was not enough to ruin his relationship with Kim Jung Un, CBS News reported.

"They were smaller missiles, they're short range missiles," Trump said. "Nobody's happy about it, but we're taking a good look and we'll see, we'll see. The relationship continues, but we'll see what happens."

In return for specific steps in dismantling its nuclear program, Pyongyang had asked for a partial removal of US sanctions, RT reported. Trump refused, reportedly at the urging of his national security advisor, John Bolton, and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

– WN.com, Jack Durschlag