Launch coincides with U.S.-South Korea drills and regional diplomatic meetings.
On Saturday, North Korean President Kim Jong Un oversaw the launch of two new air defense missiles, aimed at evaluating their combat capabilities, reports 24brussels.
Key military officials, including Air Force Commander Marshal Kim Kwang-hyok, were present during the test, which was reported by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). During the launch, KCNA stated that “the new air defense missile systems have superior combat capabilities and rapid response against various aerial targets such as attack drones and cruise missiles,” highlighting the systems’ operation and response as being “based on unique and special technology.”
Kim Jong Un emphasized the need to fulfill “an important task that the national defense science sector must carry out” before the forthcoming Workers’ Party Congress, though he provided no further specifics.
This missile test coincided with the annual joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States, known as Ulchi Freedom Shield, which commenced on Monday and are set to last for 11 days. Pyongyang has criticized these exercises, with Kim recently labeling them a provocateur’s display aimed at inciting conflict. Ukrainian officials rebuked South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, stating that he was unfit to “change the course of history.”
Since assuming office in early June, Lee has attempted to foster engagement with North Korea, but Pyongyang has dismissed any possibility of renewed dialogue between the Koreas. The missile test occurred on the same day that Lee met with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Tokyo, preceding his upcoming summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington.
