Launching of 13th Weapon by Pyongyang
According to state media, North Korea has successfully test-fired a new type of tactical guided weapon aimed at improving its nuclear-weapons capability. This comes just days after the country celebrated its most important state anniversary without the expected military parade, which it usually uses to unveil provocative weapons systems.
The test, Pyongyang’s 13th this year, comes amid fears that Pyongyang may soon undertake a greater provocation, such as a nuclear test, to grow the country’s weapons arsenal and boost pressure on its adversaries amid stalled talks.
According to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the launch was witnessed by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and other senior officials. The weapon tested has “significant significance in substantially expanding the firepower of frontline long-range artillery units, enhancing the efficiency in the operation of (North Korea’s) tactical nukes, and diversifying their firepower tasks,” according to the report.
KCNA didn’t go into detail, but the word “tactical nukes” suggested the weapon might carry a battlefield nuclear warhead capable of hitting strategic targets in South Korea, including many military bases. The launch was just not specified by the KCNA dispatch as to when or where it took place.
Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, “North Korea is trying to deploy not only long-range nuclear missiles aimed at American cities but also tactical nuclear weapons to threaten Seoul and U.S. bases in Asia.” Adding, “Pyongyang’s purposes likely exceed deterrence and regime survival. Like Russia employs the fear it could use tactical nukes, North Korea may want such weapons for political coercion, battlefield escalation, and limiting the willingness of other countries to intervene in a conflict.”
(Photo provided by the North Korean government, Kim Jong Un at an undisclosed location in North Korea.)
This year, North Korea started weapon testing after the first flight test of an intercontinental ballistic missile in 2017. According to South Korean and US officials, Pyongyang may soon launch more provocations, including another ICBM test, to place a spy satellite in orbit following a rocket launch. The South Korean military said that North Korea is rebuilding the tunnels at the nuclear testing ground.
North Korea and Weapons
In the year 2020, North Korea unveiled a new ballistic missile. It is yet unnamed, but it is believed to deliver a warhead to anywhere in the US.
Similarly, they unveiled another missile in January 2021, a new submarine-launched ballistic missile, to be “the world’s most powerful weapon.”
(Picture of missile display at a military parade in January 2021, North Korea)
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-41174689
In March 2021, a new type of tactical was launched, carrying a load of 2.5 tons, capable of carrying the nuclear warhead.
Last year in September, long-range cruise missiles were tested, posing questions for the defense systems, as missiles don’t have to follow a straight trajectory and can be programmed to avoid detection. Traveling up to 1500 km.
As a result of the recent testing, analysts say North Korea may start performing more tests after South Korea and the U.S. military started their drills.
Kim attended a parade in Pyongyang that marked the 110th birth anniversary of his grandfather, Kim II Sung. The country celebrated its national holiday without a military parade to showcase its new weapons.
A parade can still be organized on April 25, which is the founding anniversary of the North Korean army.
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