Kim Jong-un Observes Tactical Guided Missile Launch, Declares "Strike Capability to Annihilate Enemies Outside Territory" (Comprehensive)

Observation of Short-Range Ballistic Missile Launch in Pyonganbuk-do on the 21st
"Perfect National Defense...Reliable War Deterrence" Emphasized
Notable Change in Calling Order from 'Kim Yo-jong-Jo Yong-won' to 'Jo Yong-won-Kim Yo-jong'

Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, observed a tactical guided weapon test firing on the 21st, according to a report by the Korean Central News Agency on the 22nd.

It has been confirmed that North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un personally observed the presumed short-range ballistic missile test launch conducted by North Korea on the 21st in the Suncheon area of North Pyongan Province.

On the 22nd, North Korea's state media, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), reported, "Comrade Kim Jong Un watched the tactical guided weapon demonstration firing on March 21," adding, "The demonstration firing was conducted with the purpose of reaffirming the tactical characteristics and power of the new weapon system being delivered to the People's Army units and to directly show it to the People's Army command members."

North Korea's tactical guided weapons generally refer to short-range ballistic missiles. The mention of a new weapon system being delivered to the People's Army units suggests that the training was conducted just before actual deployment.

At the event, Chairman Kim said, "If any enemy dares to attempt military actions against our country, we must further strengthen the striking power capable of annihilating them outside our territory," and added, "This is precisely the national defense construction goal put forward by our Party, the most perfect national defense strategy, and a truly reliable war deterrent."

The agency reported, "When the respected Supreme Leader gave the command for the demonstration firing, the sky and earth were shaken by a thunderous explosion as Juche missiles were launched emitting dazzling flashes," and "The launched tactical guided missiles precisely struck the target island."

It also stated, "The demonstration firing clearly showcased the distinct flight trajectory characteristics, descent angle features, missile accuracy, and warhead power."

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un observed a tactical guided weapon test firing on the 21st, according to a report by the Korean Central News Agency on the 22nd.

Chairman Kim expressed satisfaction with the demonstration firing. He evaluated, "The continuous emergence of our new indigenous weapon systems is a historic event in the development and transformation of our national armed forces," and "These achievements are the brilliant fruits brought about by the Party's precise self-reliant defense industry development line and the policy emphasizing defense science, and a clear display of our defense science and defense industry power."

He emphasized, "The newly developed weapon systems and the tactical and strategic weapon systems under development will decisively contribute to realizing our Party's strategic intention to revolutionize the country's defense strategy."

Hong Min, head of the North Korea Research Division at the Institute for Unification Studies, explained, "In this report, North Korean media used the term 'demonstration firing' instead of 'test firing,' indicating that it was not a test of a developing weapon but a demonstration firing ahead of or during the process of actual deployment."

At the demonstration firing, Kim's younger sister Kim Yo Jong, First Deputy Director of the Workers' Party, along with officials including Jo Yong Won, Hong Yong Song, Kim Jong Sik, and Hyon Song Wol, as well as Park Jong Chon, Chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army, and corps commanders, attended. Defense science research officials such as Jang Chang Ha and Jeon Il Ho welcomed them on site.

The order in which the North Korean media named Chairman Kim's accompanying officials also drew attention.

The agency reported, "Comrades Ri Pyong Chol, Jo Yong Won, Kim Yo Jong, Hong Yong Song, Kim Jong Sik, and Hyon Song Wol, among other Central Committee officials, along with Army General Park Jong Chon, Chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army, and corps commanders, observed the demonstration firing."

The order of naming is considered to reflect the official power hierarchy, and recently Jo Yong Won has been mentioned before Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un's younger sister.

Hong explained, "Until the end of last year, the order was 'Kim Yo Jong - Jo Yong Won,' but since the Lunar New Year celebration performance on January 26, the order changed to 'Jo Yong Won - Kim Yo Jong,'" adding, "It is highly likely that Jo Yong Won, First Deputy Director of the Organization and Guidance Department, has been promoted to a senior First Deputy Director level compared to Kim Yo Jong, who is presumed to be First Deputy Director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department."

He added, "Among the three First Deputy Directors in the Organization and Guidance Department, Jo Yong Won, who is responsible for the headquarters party, may have become the senior First Deputy Director."

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un observed a tactical guided weapon test firing on the 21st, according to a report by the Korean Central News Agency on the 22nd.

Meanwhile, the Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that at around 6:45 a.m. on the 21st, they detected two projectiles presumed to be short-range ballistic missiles launched from the Suncheon area of North Pyongan Province toward the northeast over the East Sea.

A government source said, "We are conducting a detailed analysis considering various possibilities such as the North Korean version of Iskander, ATACMS, and super-large multiple rocket launchers." The flight distance of the projectiles was detected to be approximately 410 km, with an altitude of about 50 km.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.