US state department spokesman John Kirby declined to comment on North Korea’s nuclear capabilities, saying it was an intelligence matter, but he told reporters the US takes Pyongyang’s rhetoric seriously. North Korea fired two short - range ballistic missiles into the sea on 10 March . The move is likely a show of anger over the continued joint military exercises that South Korea and the US are currently conducting in the demilitarised zone ( DMZ ) , which separates North and South Korea . The move by North Korea comes a day after its ruling regime publicised a purported mock - up of a key part of a nuclear warhead . While such a reaction from the country is not uncommon , it will increase tensions in the Korean Peninsula . The country ’s leader , Kim Jong - un , took the opportunity to repeat that North Korea had developed a small atomic bomb , which could be placed on a missile . South Korea described the move as an “ intolerable direct challenge ” to the international community .
North Korea fired two short - range ballistic missiles into the sea on 10 March . The move is likely a show of anger over the continued joint military exercises that South Korea and the US are currently conducting in the demilitarised zone ( DMZ ) , which separates North and South Korea . The move by North Korea comes a day after its ruling regime publicised a purported mock - up of a key part of a nuclear warhead . While such a reaction from the country is not uncommon , it will increase tensions in the Korean Peninsula . The country ’s leader , Kim Jong - un , took the opportunity to repeat that North Korea had developed a small atomic bomb , which could be placed on a missile . South Korea described the move as an “ intolerable direct challenge ” to the international community .