North Korea confirmed on Saturday that it had successfully test-fired a tactical ballistic missile, according to the state news agency KCNA. The test, conducted under the supervision of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, aimed to assess the “accuracy and reliability” of a new autonomous navigation system. Kim expressed “great satisfaction” with the test results.
The missile was launched into the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan, on Friday. South Korea’s government had earlier reported the launch, identifying the projectiles as multiple suspected short-range ballistic missiles. The missiles were fired from North Korea’s eastern Wonsan area and traveled approximately 300 kilometers (186 miles) off the coast.
In response to the launch, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff stated that they had “strengthened vigilance and surveillance in preparation for additional launches” and were sharing intelligence with allies in Washington and Tokyo.
This test is the latest in a series of increasingly advanced missile tests by North Korea. Over recent months, the country has tested a variety of weapons, including cruise missiles, tactical rockets, and hypersonic weapons, as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance its defense capabilities.
The missile tests come amid allegations from Seoul and Washington that North Korea has been supplying arms to Russia, potentially violating United Nations sanctions. Experts suggest that some of the recent weapons tests may involve arms intended for use in the Ukraine conflict. North Korea has denied these accusations, with Kim Jong Un’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, accusing Seoul and Washington of “misleading the public opinion” with their claims.
On the same day as the missile launch, Kim Jong Un visited a military production facility and reiterated his commitment to bolstering North Korea’s nuclear force. He emphasized the need to enhance the country’s nuclear capabilities to deter adversaries, stating that enemies would be “afraid of and dare not to play with fire” when faced with North Korea’s nuclear combat posture.
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