North Korea announced the testing of a new multi-functional missile system and tactical cruise missiles. The launches were personally supervised by the country's leader Kim Jong Un.
North Korea has reported conducting new weapon tests — this time involving a multi-functional rocket launch system and tactical cruise missiles.
According to the state agency KCNA, the tests were conducted under the personal supervision of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
The day before, South Korea detected the launches of several missiles from the western coast of North Korea. According to Seoul, among them was at least one ballistic missile.
According to South Korean military estimates, the missiles flew about 80 kilometers.
In recent months, Pyongyang has noticeably intensified missile tests and the demonstration of new weapons.
Experts believe that North Korea is trying to take advantage of the weakening international pressure while simultaneously strengthening its status as a nuclear power.
In fact, such tests have become not only a military but also a political tool for Kim Jong Un's regime — a demonstration of capabilities for both neighboring countries and the United States.
South Korea and Japan are particularly closely monitoring North Korea's actions, where any new launches are perceived as a potential threat to regional security. At the same time, North Korea regularly uses phrases about "self-defense" and the need to modernize its military in the context of joint exercises by the U.S. and South Korea.
In recent years, Pyongyang has been actively developing both ballistic missiles and cruise systems, trying to make its arsenal more diverse and difficult to intercept.
Amid wars and crises in other regions of the world, international attention to North Korea sometimes wanes; however, North Korea's missile program remains one of the key security threats in Asia.
Experts currently expect that tests and demonstrations of weapons by Pyongyang may continue in the coming months.
