North Korea deploys 250 nuclear-capable missile launchers

In a photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks during a ceremony to mark the delivery of 250 nuclear-capable missile launchers to frontline military units, in Pyongyang (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service/AP)

North Korea marked the delivery of 250 nuclear-capable missile launchers to frontline military units at a ceremony where leader Kim Jong Un called for a ceaseless expansion of his military’s nuclear programme to counter perceived US threats, state media said.

Concerns about Mr Kim’s nuclear programme have grown as he has demonstrated an intent to deploy battlefield nuclear weapons along the country’s border with South Korea and authorised his military to respond with pre-emptive nuclear strikes if it perceives the leadership as under threat.