Pyongyang, January 5 (KCNA) -- A sub-unit under a major firing strike group of the Korean People's Army conducted a missile launching drill on January 4.

The drill was conducted as part of the operational evaluation of the sustainability, effectiveness and operation of the DPRK's war deterrent while evaluating the readiness of the hypersonic weapon system, verifying and confirming its capability for fulfilling mission and developing the missile soldiers' firing capability.

Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, oversaw the launching drill.

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un said that it is a very important strategic task to maintain and expand a powerful and reliable nuclear deterrent through the sustained verification of key components of war deterrence and the improvement of its performance and the mastering of operational capabilities.

He said, appreciating the drill:

"Through today's launching drill, we can confirm that a very important technology task for national defence has been carried out.

The missile soldiers showed the readiness of the DPRK's nuclear forces without regret and gave confidence in it.

Important achievements have been recently made in putting our nuclear forces on a practical basis and preparing them for an actual war. This potential is an outcome of the Party's line on building up the national defence and its policy on attaching importance to defence science and technology and a valuable result of our outstanding scientific and technological group.

We must continuously upgrade the military means, especially offensive weapon systems. It is just an essential undertaking for self-defence. In addition, to make the rivals recognize the constant mobilization of our strategic offensive means and their fatality itself in a steady and repeated way is an important and effective mode of exercising war deterrence.

To be honest, our such activity is clearly aimed at gradually putting the nuclear war deterrent on a highly developed basis. The reason why it is necessary is exemplified by the recent geopolitical crisis and complicated international events."

The hypersonic missiles, launched from Ryokpho District, Pyongyang Municipality, to the northeast direction, hit the targets 1 000 km away from the East Sea of Korea.

Kim Jong Un expressed thanks to the sub-unit participating in the drill for opening the prelude of the first combat drill in the new year with amazing launching and fully displaying the striking capability of the strong army, and extended New Year greeting to all the officers and men of the missile forces doing their best in carrying out their combat duty across the country and devoting themselves to their responsible duty for national defence.

He expressed expectation and belief that all the missile forces would remain faithful to their sacred mission as a reliable shield for defending the sovereignty and security of the DPRK by fulfilling their consistent and responsible combat duty under iron discipline.

Among the spectators were Kim Jong Sik, first vice department director of the Central Committee of the WPK and Jang Chang Ha, general director of the Missile Administration of the DPRK. -0-