North Korea announced on Wednesday that it successfully tested a new lightweight multi-purpose missile launching system alongside a multiple tactical cruise missile weapon system a day earlier.
According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the missile tests were personally supervised by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
The announcement followed reports from South Korea’s military on Tuesday stating that North Korea launched several projectiles, including a ballistic missile, from its west coast.
South Korean authorities said the missiles travelled approximately 80 kilometres, equivalent to about 50 miles.
Security analysts have argued that Pyongyang’s continued missile launches in recent months may be part of broader efforts to reinforce and legitimise its nuclear status amid weakening international restrictions and geopolitical divisions.
KCNA stated that Tuesday’s launch was intended to “analyze and estimate the power of special mission warhead of tactical ballistic missile” and also assess the reliability of a 240mm guided artillery rocket system equipped with expanded firing range and ultra-precision autonomous navigation technology.
The North Korean leader reportedly described the newly tested systems as evidence of growing military capabilities and technological advancement within the country’s defence sector.
“The major weapon systems are a clear signal of upgrading of our military force and an event of showing great technical progress,” Kim was quoted as saying by KCNA.
He further stressed the importance of maintaining overwhelming destructive military power capable of neutralising enemy forces.
“It is essential condition for our army’s operations to have such destructive power as enough to make any encountering force impossible to survive theoretically, apart from fortune,” he stated.
According to KCNA, Kim expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the tests, noting that important ultra-high defence science and technologies had now been introduced into practical weapon testing.
Images released by North Korean state media showed missiles being launched from mobile launcher systems, with large flames and thick smoke visible around the vehicles.
Another image showed Kim Jong Un standing beside one of the mobile launchers accompanied by military officials.
North Korea remains under multiple sanctions imposed by the United Nations over its nuclear weapons programme and use of ballistic missile technology.
Despite the sanctions, Pyongyang has repeatedly continued missile development and weapons testing activities.
Tuesday’s launch represented North Korea’s eighth missile test of the year and its first launch activity in 37 days.
In April, the country also conducted a ballistic missile test aimed at verifying what state media described as the characteristics and power of a cluster bomb warhead.
Security analyst Hong Min of the Korea Institute for National Unification said the latest tests suggest North Korea intends to deploy advanced precision-strike conventional weapons systems during potential military conflict.
According to him, the weapons platform integrates tactical cruise missiles, guided multiple-launch rocket systems, and tactical ballistic missiles into a single precision-strike framework.
He noted that the system demonstrates North Korea’s increasing ability to deploy long-range and automated conventional firepower capable of posing significant threats below the nuclear threshold.
Earlier this month, Kim Jong Un directed senior military officials to transform the country’s southern border with South Korea into what he described as an “impregnable fortress.”
The latest missile activity is expected to heighten regional tensions on the Korean Peninsula amid ongoing concerns surrounding North Korea’s expanding military capabilities and nuclear ambitions.
