North Korea confirmed on Saturday that it had test-fired a tactical ballistic missile, according to the government news agency KCNA. The launch, overseen by leader Kim Jong Un, was part of a mission to evaluate the “accuracy and reliability” of a new autonomous navigation system, KCNA reported.
Kim Jong Un expressed “great satisfaction” with the test, which took place on Friday and saw the missile launched into the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan.
South Korea reported the launch on Friday, stating that North Korea had fired multiple suspected short-range ballistic missiles. Seoul described the event as involving “several flying objects presumed to be short-range ballistic missiles” from North Korea’s eastern Wonsan area into the surrounding waters. According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, the missiles traveled approximately 300 kilometers (186 miles). The military has since “strengthened vigilance and surveillance in preparation for additional launches” and is sharing information with allies Washington and Tokyo.
This latest test is part of a series of increasingly sophisticated trials by North Korea, which has recently launched cruise missiles, tactical rockets, and hypersonic weapons, in a bid to enhance its defensive capabilities.
Seoul and Washington have accused North Korea of supplying arms to Russia, in violation of multiple UN sanctions. Experts suggest that the recent spate of tests may involve weapons intended for use in Ukraine. These accusations were addressed by Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un’s sister, who accused Seoul and Washington of “misleading the public opinion” with their claims that Pyongyang is sending weapons to Moscow for use in Ukraine.
On the same day as the test, Kim Jong Un visited a military production facility and called for “more rapidly bolstering the nuclear force… without halt and hesitation,” according to the KCNA report. He asserted that “the enemies would be afraid of and dare not to play with fire only when they witness the nuclear combat posture of our state.”
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