North Korea: Missiles tested for potential strikes against U.S. military in Japan

March 6 (UPI) -- North Korea said in its first statement since launching missiles on Monday the tests were part of training for potential strikes against U.S. bases in Japan.

Pyongyang's state-controlled news agency KCNA said Tuesday "Comrade Kim Jong Un had provided field guidance to the Hwasong artillery unit of the Korean People's Army."

KCNA also stated the Hwasong unit were part of the training because it is "tasked with striking the U.S. imperial troops based in Japan, in the case of an emergency."

The missiles were fired the minute Kim Jong Un "issued his order, at which moment ballistic rockets burst simultaneously into a thunderous explosion as they flew toward the brightening eastern sky, proudly leaving behind vapor trails that symbolized the destruction of the enemy."

The North Korean leader reportedly expressed his satisfaction with the test, comparing the "simultaneous launches to a flying squadron."

Kim said the ballistic missile launches send a warning to the enemy and added North Korea's military "fully demonstrated its power, and the ability to destroy the enemy in the most accurate, swift and thorough manner."

According to South Korea's joint chiefs of staff on Monday, four missiles were fired in succession in 10 minutes, and each missile was launched at different angles.

On Monday the Pentagon said a fifth missile was launched but failed.