North Korea acknowledges missile trials under Kim Jong-un's guidance, mimicking nuclear attacks
South Korea has slammed these controversial missile launches from North Korea as a 'top-notch provocation,' fuelling suspicions of weapons sales to Russia.
The rogue regime, under the leadership of Kim Jong-un, has carried out a series of short-range ballistic missile blasts. According to the Korean Central News Agency, these tests were part of military training exercises, aiming to boost the operational prowess of their missile and rocket troops under the nuclear command structure.
These tests emulated the regime's rapid response to potential nuclear threats, the agency said.
The launches involved weaponry similar to Russia's Iskander, along with 600mm multiple rocket launchers. Given their guided trajectories and propulsion capabilities, these systems are classified as ballistic missiles by South Korean officials.
Kim Jong-un emphasized the need for nuclear forces to play a pivotal role in deterrence and combat scenarios. He also stressed the necessities of beefing up military preparedness and refining precision strike capabilities, lambasting the annual joint military drills by the United States and its allies.
The South Korean military had earlier received reports of several launches originating from North Korea's eastern coast. The longest-range projectile covered a distance of approximately 800 kilometers, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Lee Sung-joon, the Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesperson, speculated that these tests may have also served to vet weapons intended for export amid Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine.
Condemning these launches, South Korea's Unification Ministry viewed them as a 'brazen act of provocation' and a breach of UN Security Council resolutions. Representing the ministry, Kim Inae cautioned that these tests posed a significant threat to regional peace and stability.
Meanwhile, it's worth noting that Kim Jong-un recently paid a visit to the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany. During this visit, he extolled the 'historical strategic partnership' between North Korea and Russia. The timing of these weapons tests strongly suggests deepening military ties between the two nations.
In related news, North Korea is reportedly producing artillery shells at four times its annual average, shipping over six million shells to Russia since 2022. Furthermore, concerns of short-range ballistic missile exports to Russia also persist. The ongoing military support from North Korea is believed to have earned it a hefty income of around $20 billion, possibly augmenting its economy and enhancing its military capabilities.
These developments have not gone unnoticed; the United States and South Korea have expressed apprehension over these escalating tensions, which could lead to increased diplomatic pressure on North Korea.
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Sources:
- North Korea's weapons exports to Russia causing regional tension
- North Korea suspected of developing missile meant for Russia
- North Korea shelling Russia: Tracking batteries on border
- The Russian-North Korean Military Connection
Related:
- Russia
- North Korea
- Nuclear weapons
- South Korea
- The South Korean military had earlier reportedly received intelligence indicating multiple projectile launches from North Korea's eastern coast, with one of the launches covering an approximate distance of 800 kilometers.
- The launches, which involved weaponry similar to Russia's Iskander, may signal an escalation in North Korea's military ties with Russia, as evidenced by Kim Jong-un's recent visit to the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany.
- In addition to the missile tests, North Korea is said to be producing artillery shells at four times its annual average and shipping over six million shells to Russia since 2022, causing concerns about short-range ballistic missile exports to Russia.
- The increasing militarization between North Korea and Russia, as signalled by these developments, has raised concerns among South Korea, the United States, and other regional players, with the potential for increased diplomatic pressure and tension in the war-and-conflicts, politics, and general-news landscape.
