SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised tests of short-range ballistic missile systems that simulated nuclear counterstrikes against U.S. and South Korean forces, state media said Friday, as the North continued to blame its rivals for escalating tensions through their joint military exercises.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised a test of a short-range ballistic missile and long-range artillery on Thursday and stressed the importance of combat readiness of the country's nuclear forces,

North Korea says leader Kim Jong Un observed the first test-firings of missiles from a recently launched destroyer and called for speeding efforts to boost his navy’s nuclear attack capabilities.