Kim Jong Un oversees cruise missile test as South Korea and US begin military drills

(Patria) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the testing of strategic cruise missiles, as South Korea and the United States prepare to begin annual military exercises that Pyongyang views as a rehearsal for war, Reuters reported.

Kim visited a naval fleet stationed on the east coast to inspect the test on a warship, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said, without specifying the date of his trip.

The launch was aimed at verifying the "combat function of the ship and the characteristics of its missile system," while simultaneously improving the sailors' ability to carry out a "real-war attack mission," KCNA said.

"The ship quickly hit the target without any error," it said.

Kim said the ship maintains "high mobility and powerful striking power and constant combat readiness to cope with sudden situations," KCNA reported.

The latest missile test came as South Korea and the United States were set to begin the summer "Ulchi Freedom Guardian" exercises on Monday, designed to improve joint responses to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.

Pyongyang has condemned the allies' military drills as a rehearsal for nuclear war. The South Korean military said this year's exercises would be held on the "largest scale ever," mobilizing tens of thousands of troops from both sides, as well as some member states of the United Nations Command.

South Korean lawmakers said North Korea could attempt to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile or take other military action in protest against the allies' drills or last week's summit between South Korea, the United States, and Japan.