Seoul, 26 June (H.S.): North Korean leader Kim Jong-un personally supervised the testing of advanced weapons systems capable of targeting South Korea, according to the country's state media. The tests included a new multiple rocket launcher, tactical ballistic missiles and long-range artillery shells.
According to North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), as cited by South Korea's Yonhap News Agency, Kim Jong-un oversaw the testing of newly developed weapons designed to strengthen the country's strike capabilities against South Korea. The tests were conducted as part of North Korea's five-year defence development plan aimed at modernising its artillery and missile systems.
The weapons tested on Thursday included an upgraded version of the 240-mm 24-tube multiple rocket launcher system, special mission warheads for tactical ballistic missiles and long-range artillery shells for the 155-mm self-propelled howitzer.
KCNA reported that the new 24-tube multiple rocket launcher is equipped with an autonomous precision guidance system and has an extended strike range of up to 90 kilometres. The country also successfully tested newly developed 155-mm artillery shells capable of striking targets at a range of up to 65 kilometres.
North Korea claimed that the special warheads for its tactical ballistic missiles are designed to completely destroy key enemy infrastructure, including airbases, ports and power facilities.
Following the tests, Kim Jong-un said the results demonstrated the technological advancement of North Korea's principal weapons systems amid what he described as changes in the firepower situation along the southern border. He said maintaining a constant state of fear and anxiety among adversaries is a key element of deterrence and announced that all long-range strike weapons would soon be replaced with upgraded versions.
The weapons tests were conducted on the same day as the 76th anniversary of the outbreak of the 1950–53 Korean War. Observers believe the exercise was intended to demonstrate North Korea's capability to target major military and strategic installations in South Korea.
North Korea officially designated South Korea as its principal enemy at the end of 2023. Since then, Pyongyang has continued to modernise its tactical missiles, artillery systems and other conventional weapons while advancing plans to deploy them near the border with South Korea.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
