North Korea: Kim Jong Un watches test of new weapon system

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un watched the test firing of a new weapons system, the official Pyongyang news agency (KCNA) reported today.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces in Seoul reported that two missiles were fired from the east coast of North Korea into the sea. The bomber struck shortly after noon in the Hamhung area at around 6pm local time, reaching a speed of 25km and reaching a maximum speed of 110km (Mach) below Mach 4, according to the South Korean staff.

Photographs published in the Rodong Sinmun newspaper show a smiling Kim – surrounded by uniformed officials – celebrating as he watches what is described as a test shooting.

According to the KCNA, “the new type of guided weapons system… is of great importance in terms of drastically improving the firepower of long-range artillery units on the front line and enhancing the operational efficiency of regular nuclear weapons” in the country. .

The North Korean news agency did not specify when the test took place, but Reuters noted that the KCNA usually referred to Kim Jong Un’s activity in the past 24 hours.

On Friday, North Korea celebrated the birthday of its “founder”, Kim Il Sung (the current leader’s grandfather), with a spectacular event that included fireworks and a synchronized dance but not a military parade, as many analysts had predicted.

Pyongyang’s latest missile test came just weeks after North Korea resumed testing intercontinental ballistic missiles for the first time since 2017.

Officials in Seoul and Washington say there are indications that North Korea could soon resume nuclear testing.

Source: AMPE