Kim Jong Un oversees missile tests, heightens global tensions
Kim Jong Un supervised missile tests simulating nuclear counterattacks against the USA and South Korea, North Korean state media reported on Friday. The day before, Seoul reported detecting the launch of several types of short-range missiles by the North.
What do you need to know?
- Missile Tests: Kim Jong Un supervised short-range tests that simulated nuclear counterattacks against US and South Korean forces. These tests took place on Thursday and were in response to the joint military exercises of those countries.
- New Weapon Systems: The tests used a mobile ballistic system modelled after the Russian Iskander and 610 mm rocket launchers that can be armed with tactical nuclear weapons.
- International Reaction: Japan confirmed that none of the missiles violated its economic zone, and South Korea suspects the tests may be related to arms exports to Russia.
What are North Korea's goals?
Kim Jong Un emphasized the need to strengthen the role of nuclear forces in deterrence and warfare. The tests aimed to train military units in effectively conducting attacks under the control of North Korea's nuclear weapons system.
"We must strengthen combat readiness and precise strike capabilities," noted Kim, according to the KCNA agency. The governmental KCNA agency reported that the tests conducted on Thursday involved multi-launch rocket systems of 610 mm in diameter and a mobile ballistic missile system.
Are the tests related to Russia?
South Korea suspects that the tests may be linked to plans to export weapons to Russia as part of broader military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow.
"North Korea continues to send military equipment and troops to support Russian military actions in Ukraine," said Lee Sung Joon, a spokesperson for South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Short-range weapons launched
On Thursday, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff reported detecting a launch from near Wonsan on North Korea's eastern coast. This was the fourth such test carried out by the North this year. Seoul speculates that the latest launches were likely aimed at testing weapons that North Korea plans to export.
Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Pyongyang has supplied Moscow with various weapons, including artillery systems and millions of rounds of ammunition. Additionally, according to estimates from South Korean and US intelligence agencies, about 15,000 troops have been deployed in Russia's Kursk region.
Source: "The Independent", PAP
