North Korea conducted a test of a new lightweight multipurpose missile launching system and various tactical cruise missiles, as reported by state media. The test was overseen by leader Kim Jong-un as part of the country’s ongoing efforts to modernize its weapons capabilities. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) released a report following South Korea’s detection of multiple close-range ballistic missiles and artillery rockets launched towards the Yellow Sea from North Phyongan Province.
The recent test is a component of Pyongyang’s plan to modernize its artillery and missile forces in line with a five-year national defense development goal. The evaluation included analyzing the power of a special mission warhead of a tactical ballistic missile, the reliability of a 240mm controlled artillery rocket with an extended firing range utilizing an ultra-precision autonomous navigation system, and the AI-guided hit accuracy of a tactical cruise missile.
Kim Jong-un expressed great satisfaction with the test results, emphasizing its significance in showcasing military advancements and enhanced combat capabilities. Particularly, Kim praised the tactical cruise missile, slated for deployment at long-range artillery units near the southern border. This missile integrates various navigation systems, enabling precise strikes within a 100-kilometer range with high accuracy.
Kim reiterated North Korea’s commitment to bolstering both its nuclear and conventional forces, emphasizing the nation’s determination to safeguard its military sovereignty and right to self-defense through concrete actions. The simultaneous test-firing of close-range ballistic missiles and artillery rockets, a rare move, demonstrates North Korea’s ability to target locations while evading air defense systems. This marks North Korea’s eighth missile test this year, following a previous launch of tactical ballistic missiles towards the East Sea in April.
