MOSCOW (Sputnik) — According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim visited the test-firing of ballistic rockets by artillery units of the Korean People's Army (KPA). The test was necessary to help prevent possible "US aggression," and Kim stressed the need to make more "miraculous achievements in stepping up the nuclear force," according to the agency.
On Monday, the North Korean authorities fired three ballistic missiles from Hwangju county in the direction of the Sea of Japan, in what has become a routine occurrence in the past few months.
In 2005, North Korea declared itself a nuclear power. So far, it has conducted four underground nuclear weapon tests — in 2006, 2009, 2013 and 2016, raising concerns of both the neighboring states and the international community.
Pyongyang is currently under pressure from the international community since its January latest nuclear test and a long-range rocket launch in February, which resulted in tightening sanctions against North Korea in the new UN Security Council resolution in March.