Kim Jong Un has overseen drills involving nuclear-capable rocket launchers to show the country’s ability to preemptively strike South Korea, state media reported.

North Korea has simulated nuclear strikes on South Korea numerous times, but the latest drills came after animosities on the Korean Peninsula rose over North Korea’s recent failed spy satellite launch.

The North’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that the drills were meant to demonstrate North Korea’s resolve to not hesitate in launching a preemptive strike on South Korea if threatened. It cited Mr Kim as saying that the drills “will serve as an occasion in clearly showing what consequences our rivals will face if they provoke us”.

Photos showed Mr Kim watching from a distance as at least 18 projectiles were launched.

KCNA suggested the drills came as response to a South Korean aerial exercise performed hours before North Korea’s failed attempt to place its second spy satellite into orbit on Monday night.

The launch attempt drew strong condemnation from South Korea, the United States and others because the UN bans any North Korean satellite launches, viewing them as covers for testing missile technologies. North Korea reacted angrily, arguing that it has the sovereign right to launch satellites.

Also this week, North Korea flew hundreds of huge balloons into South Korea carrying manure and other trash, and allegedly jammed GPS navigation signals in the South. There were no reports of any substantial damage.

South Korea’s Unification Ministry responded in a statement Friday that North Korea must stop “absurd, irrational provocations directed at us” or face unspecified “unbearable” consequences. Ministry spokesperson Kim Inae said separately that South Korea “strongly condemns” North Korea for threatening preemptive strikes against the South.