According to the KCNA, the newly-tested missile, equipped with a 4.5 ton warhead, was fired alongside a strategic cruise missile. The test aimed to assess "the accuracy of the missiles at a medium range of 320 kilometers and the explosive power of the super-large warhead." The cruise missile is an upgraded version, reportedly better suited for combat readiness.
The report comes a day after the South Korean military detected two short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) fired from a site near Kachon, about 72 kilometers (45 miles) north of Pyongyang. According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), the missiles flew approximately 400 kilometers.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspected the test-fire drill and emphasized that advancing North Korea's military technology is critical for ensuring the isolated country's security, which he claimed is constantly threatened by external forces.
Kim also stressed that the regional climate poses significant threats to North Korea’s current security environment, making it essential for the country to continue strengthening its self-defense capabilities.
Following the launches, South Korea's JCS condemned North Korea's actions, calling them "a clear act of provocation that seriously threatens peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
