North Korea conducts tests on 'super-large' cruise missile warhead and new anti-aircraft missile
- In Reports
- 11:14 AM, Apr 20, 2024
- Myind Staff
State media from North Korea reported that the nation had conducted a test involving a "super-large warhead" intended for a strategic cruise missile. This marks the latest test following the disruption of UN sanctions monitoring against the nuclear-armed nation last month by Russia.
The announcement follows Russia's use of its United Nations Security Council veto in March to effectively halt UN monitoring of violations of sanctions against Kim Jong Un's government for its nuclear and weapons programme.
Analysts have cautioned that North Korea might be conducting tests on cruise missiles in preparation for sending them to Russia for potential deployment in Ukraine. Both Washington and Seoul allege that Kim has transported weapons to Moscow, despite UN sanctions prohibiting such actions.
On Saturday, the KCNA news agency reported that the DPRK Missile Administration had conducted a power test of a super-large warhead intended for the 'Hwasal-1 Ra-3' strategic cruise missile, using the abbreviation for North Korea's official name.
Additionally, KCNA stated that North Korea had performed a test launch of a 'Pyoljji-1-2' new-type anti-aircraft missile in the West Sea of Korea. The agency noted that both tests took place.
Seoul's military reported detecting "several cruise missiles and surface-to-air missiles" fired towards the Yellow Sea, a body of water also known as the Yellow Sea.
It further stated that it was closely monitoring North Korea's military activities, emphasising that any provocation from Pyongyang would be met with overwhelming and resolute punishment.
This year, Pyongyang has designated South Korea as its "principal enemy," dismantled agencies focused on reunification and outreach, and issued threats of war over even the slightest territorial infringement.
Unlike ballistic missiles, the testing of cruise missiles is not prohibited under current UN sanctions on North Korea. These missiles, typically jet-propelled and flying at lower altitudes than more advanced ballistic missiles, pose a greater challenge in terms of detection and interception.
Ahn Chan-il, a defector-turned-researcher at the World Institute for North Korea Studies, suggested test involved a new type of solid fuel, possibly for export to Russia.
Pyongyang claimed the tests were routine and unrelated to current events, noting they achieved a certain objective. Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies, speculated the tests aimed to assess the potential warhead capabilities for highly maneuverable cruise missiles.
Image source: AP News
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