North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the test launch of a short-range ballistic missile and long-range artillery, including KN-23 missiles, on Thursday, emphasizing the need for the country’s nuclear forces to maintain combat readiness, state media reported Friday.
The test, which also included an inspection of the operational reliability of its “nuclear trigger” system, was designed to ensure the rapid response posture to counter the sensitive regional military climate, KCNA news agency said.
Hwasong-11
South Korea and Japan on Thursday reported multiple ballistic missiles were fired from North Korea’s east coast in what was believed to be a performance test of short-range missiles that had been already deployed.
KCNA said the 600 mm multiple launch rocket systems and tactical ballistic missile Hwasong-11 were mobilised for the test.
Hwasong-11 is known internationally as KN-23, a series of the North’s short-range ballistic missiles that Ukraine and Western officials have said were being supplied to Russia and used by Moscow to strike Ukraine.
Upgrading Missile Technology
Ahead of the missile launches, there was an inspection of a nuclear defense system, dubbed by the North as “nuclear trigger”, KCNA said.
“Kim Jong Un said that it is very important to steadily perfect the normal combat readiness of the nuclear force to deter war and fight war,” KCNA said.
“He said that the DPRK should continue to direct efforts to steadily improving the long-range precision striking capability and efficiency of weapons systems,” KCNA said, using the short form for the country’s official name.
A South Korean military official and an analyst said Thursday’s missile launches were likely to test the performance of a short-range missile arsenal, possibly to upgrade them for export.
Evolving Russia-North Korea Bond
In April, North Korea officially confirmed for the first time that it has deployed troops to support Russia in the ongoing war in Ukraine, following direct orders from leader Kim Jong Un.
The regime claimed its forces played a role in recapturing Russian territory previously held by Ukrainian forces.
Earlier in May, North Korea praised the construction of a new bridge linking it to Russia as a “significant step” toward deepening bilateral ties, according to a report by state media outlet KCNA.
(With inputs from Reuters)
