Khaberni - North Korea announced the launch of a new type of ballistic missile, "Hwasong-11 R," in the presence of leader Kim Jong Un, as part of what it described as a series of tests to develop and modernize its tactical missile capabilities.
The missile, "Hwasong-11 Ra," is classified as an enhanced short-range ground-to-ground tactical ballistic missile, part of the Hwasong-11 missile family that focuses on precision strike and destructive power within limited ranges.
North Korean media confirmed that the missile launch test was to assess the warhead's capabilities and verify the system's reliability in hitting targets within specific areas, thereby enhancing the tactical threats on nearby operational axes.
The North Korean Central News Agency reported this a day after the South Korean military detected several short-range ballistic missiles launched towards the East Sea from the "Sinpo" area in North Korea.
The news agency stated that the purpose of the test launch was to evaluate the strength of the "cluster bomb warhead and the fragmentation mine warhead" mounted on the weapons system.
The North Korean Central News Agency reported that 5 missiles hit the target area near an island about 136 kilometers away with "very high density," clearly demonstrating their combat capability.
Kim expressed "great satisfaction" with the test launch, saying: «It is of great significance... to enhance the capability for delivering high-density strikes to suppress a specific target area, as well as the capability for high-precision strikes".
The report added: "The development and introduction of various cluster warheads can meet the operational demand of the Korean People's Army in a more satisfying and effective way".
The leader also encouraged the scientific research groups responsible for developing the weapons, expressing hope that they "continue their important tasks of acquiring and updating various highly modern technologies necessary for our army's combat readiness".
The Sunday launch followed a North Korean test launch of several short-range ballistic missiles on April 8. At that time, state media reported that the country conducted a test launch of a tactical ballistic missile equipped with a cluster warhead, indicating that it was capable of "turning any target" within its range to ash with the highest energy density.
The South Korean National Security Office condemned the latest launch by North Korea as a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions, and called for an immediate halt to North Korea's provocative missile activities.
