DPRK leader oversees simulated attack on ROK islands

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Tensions on the Korean Peninsula were ratcheted up on Saturday as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) launched at least three missiles into the sea, and state media outlet KCNA reported that leader Kim Jong Un had inspected a simulated invasion of Republic of Korea (ROK) islands.

The reported simulated attack by DPRK special operations forces focused on the border islands of Baengnyeong and Yeonpyeong, according to KCNA.

The drill came after the DPRK on Monday condemned the ROK and the US for computer-simulated military exercises designed to counter aggression from Pyongyang.

KCNA reported that leader Kim Jong Un had inspected a simulated invasion of ROK islands. /KCNA Photo‍

"This is aimed to ignite a nuclear war on the Korean Peninsula at any cost,” KCNA stated on Monday, according to Reuters.

"The situation on the Korean Peninsula has plunged into a critical phase due to the reckless north-targeted war racket of the war maniacs.”

KCNA reported that Kim Jong Un expressed "great satisfaction" with the simulated attack on the ROK islands, and urged the country's military to "organize more drills simulating real battle … in order to prepare for any forms of operational fields and combat conditions."

The military "should think of mercilessly wiping out the enemy with arms only and occupying Seoul at one go and the southern half of Korea," Kim said, according to KCNA.

Meanwhile, the DPRK fired at least three short-range missiles on Saturday morning.

US Pacific Command said the launches of three short-range ballistic missiles were detected, adding that the first and the third missiles failed in flight and the second "appears to have blown up almost immediately."

The US military also said the launches did not pose a threat to Guam or North America.