North Korea tests new cruise and ballistic missile systems

Tokyo (ANTARA) - The North Korean government stated on Wednesday that it had conducted tests of new cruise and ballistic missile systems, along with several artillery rockets. The test, witnessed directly by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, was described as Pyongyang’s effort to modernise its arsenal and achieve its five-year defence development goals. The tests on Tuesday (26 May), which included trials of a ‘tactical cruise missile weapon system’ and a ‘light multi-purpose missile launch system’, were announced a day after the South Korean military reported that North Korea had launched several projectiles, including short-range ballistic missiles, from its west coast. According to the South Korean military, the projectiles were launched around 13:00 local time and flew up to 80 kilometres. This test marked North Korea’s first ballistic missile launch since 19 April. The North Korean state news agency KCNA stated that the tests included analysis and calculation of the ‘special mission warhead power’ for tactical ballistic missiles and the accuracy of ‘tactical cruise missiles equipped with artificial intelligence (AI)-based guidance technology’. KCNA claimed the tactical cruise missiles, equipped with high-precision autonomous navigation systems, can hit targets up to 100 kilometres away. It was also reported that the missiles will be deployed to long-range artillery brigades along the southern border with South Korea. Kim Jong-un was said to have expressed satisfaction with the test results, which he described as ‘clear signs of our armed forces’ growing strength’. He also stated that fire-control systems and the automation of all launch vehicles had been updated to ‘adapt to modern warfare conditions and enhance combat capabilities’.