North Korea announced Monday that it has developed a new multiple-rocket launcher system that will lead to a “qualitative change” in its defense capabilities.
North Korea’s official news agency reported that Pyongyang’s Academy of Defense Sciences carried out “a controlled test of launching ballistic missiles for a rocket launcher with 240 mm caliber shells” on Saturday in order to develop “a controllable ballistic missile and missile system,” according to Agence France-Presse.
She added that the new missile launcher will now be “re-evaluated” and its role on the battlefield will be “increased.”
This year, North Korea declared its southern neighbor its “number one enemy,” closing agencies dedicated to reunifying the two countries and threatening to declare war if South Korea encroaches on its territory “even by 0.001 mm.”
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reiterated on Friday that Pyongyang would not hesitate to “put an end” to South Korea if it was attacked, describing Seoul as North Korea’s “first and most dangerous enemy country.”
In January, North Korea fired a barrage of artillery shells near two border islands belonging to South Korea, prompting the South to launch live fire training and issue evacuation orders for residents.
Kim has also stepped up weapons testing, including launching a series of cruise missiles this year.
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol pledged to respond forcefully to any attack from Pyongyang, calling on his army to “move first and report later” if provoked.
Yoon has boosted defense cooperation between his country, the United States and Japan since coming to power in 2022, including expanding joint exercises to counter Pyongyang’s growing threats.
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