North Korea performs live-fire drill as US solidifies Peninsula presence

North Korea has conducted a large live-fire exercise to mark the foundation of its military, as a US submarine docked in South Korea in a show of force amid growing concern over the North’s nuclear and missile programs.

Key Points:

• North Korea’s neighbours and the US feared Pyongyang would conduct another nuclear test
• Artillery drills were conducted at Wonsan in the North Korea’s east
• US sends nuclear-powered submarine to South Korean port of Busan

The port call by the USS Michigan — a nuclear-powered submarine — came as a US aircraft carrier strike group steamed towards Korean waters and as top envoys for North Korea policy from South Korea, Japan and the United States met in Tokyo.

Fears have risen in recent weeks that North Korea would conduct another nuclear test or long-range missile launch in defiance of UN sanctions on its anniversary.

But instead of a nuclear test or big missile launch, North Korea deployed a large number of long-range artillery units in the region of Wonsan on its east coast for a live-fire drill, South Korea’s military said.

North Korea could have a 10-kiloton weapon capable of striking the US west coast and killing 100,000 people within four years, according to a former CIA officer.

North Korea has an air base in Wonsan and missiles have also been tested there.

Source: North Korea performs live-fire drill on military anniversary as US solidifies Peninsula presence – Donald Trump’s America – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)