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S. Korea holds ballistic missile drill against N. Korea nuke test

TOKYO, Sept 4 (KUNA) -- South Korea's military said Monday it conducted a combined live-fire exercise in response to North Korea's sixth nuclear test a day earlier, Yonhap News Agency reported.
The training aimed at improving the capability of striking North Korea's Pyunggye-ri nuclear test site involved the Hyunmoo ballistic missile system and F-15K fighter jets, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).
In the drill, the Hyunmoo-2A surface-to-surface missile and the F-15K's SLAM-ER precision-guided air-to-ground rocket accurately hit a designated target in the sea, the JCS said.
The North's Punggye-ri area is located some 280 km far away from the South Korean city of Sokcho. The Hyunmoo-2A's range is around 300 km, and the SLAM-ER can fly up to 270 km.
"The training demonstrates the South Korean military's resolve to destroy not only the origin of provocation but also the enemy's leadership and supporting forces if they threaten the security of our people," the JCS said.
North Korea said Sunday that it has successfully conducted a test of a hydrogen bomb that can fit on its intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in its sixth and most powerful nuclear detonation yet.
The sixth nuclear explosion since 2006 came amid heightened tensions after North Korea tested two ICBMs in July. (end) mk.tg