SEOUL, September 19 — North Korea has claimed the successful test-firing of a new short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) equipped with an oversized conventional warhead, according to a report by the Yonhap News Agency on Tuesday.
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) announced that its Missile General Bureau successfully conducted the test-firing of the Hwasong-11丙-4.5 tactical ballistic missile and an improved strategic cruise missile the previous day.
The test was aimed at verifying the precision of the missile in striking a medium-range target at 320 kilometers with a 4.5-ton conventional warhead, as well as the explosive power of the oversized warhead, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
This marks the second test-firing of this missile model since July 1. At that time, North Korea had announced an upcoming test to verify the missile’s medium-range flight characteristics.
The report stated that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observed the missile test-firing and expressed satisfaction with the results. Kim emphasized that the continuous improvement of the country’s weaponry is directly related to the serious threats posed by external forces to North Korea’s national security environment.
The regional military and political situation that threatens our national security suggests that enhancing our self-defense military capabilities remains our top priority, Kim said. We must continuously strengthen our nuclear weapons capabilities and possess the world’s most advanced technology and overwhelming attack capabilities in conventional weapons.
Kim also visited the National Defense Science Technology Institute to inspect various weapons, including 7.62mm sniper rifles and 5.56mm automatic rifles, and provided directions for their production.
Interestingly, the news of Kim’s inspection of the missile test-firing was reported only by the KCNA, a state news agency aimed at international audiences. The Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the Workers’ Party of Korea, did not carry the report, which is a rare occurrence. The absence of the report in the Rodong Sinmun, which typically covers major domestic events, suggests that the test-firing was primarily aimed at sending a message to external countries, particularly South Korea and the United States.
The test-firing comes at a time of heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The DPRK has been stepping up its missile activities, drawing international condemnation and raising concerns about the stability of the region.
The announcement of the test-firing follows recent reports of North Korea’s intentions to publicly reveal its uranium enrichment facilities and attempts to modify Russian-made transport aircraft into early warning aircraft, according to South Korean and international intelligence sources.
South Korea, the United States, and Japan have expressed strong concerns over North Korea’s missile tests and its nuclear program. In response to the latest test-firing, senior officials from South Korea, the United States, and Japan met to condemn the launches and discuss the North’s recent unveiling of uranium enrichment facilities.
Despite the international community’s calls for denuclearization and adherence to United Nations resolutions, North Korea has continued to develop its nuclear and missile programs, citing the need for self-defense against perceived threats.
The test-firing of the Hwasong-11丙-4.5 missile and the improved strategic cruise missile are part of North Korea’s efforts to enhance its military capabilities and assert its presence on the global stage.
As the international community watches with bated breath, the situation on the Korean Peninsula remains tense, with no signs of immediate de-escalation. The latest missile test underscores the complexity of the security challenges in the region and the urgent need for diplomatic efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability.
Keywords: #NorthKorea #MissileTest #TacticalBallisticMissile #KimJongUn #DPRK #SecurityTensions
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