North Korea "Test-fired 2 New Tactical Guided Missiles... Targeted 600km Area in East Sea" (Comprehensive)

Published 26 Mar.2021 06:45(KST)

General Secretary Kim Jong-un Absent... Ri Pyong-chol Reports Test Results

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] North Korea confirmed that "on the 25th, two new tactical guided missiles were test-fired targeting a 600 km area in the East Sea."

The Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the Workers' Party of Korea, reported on the 26th, "The National Defense Science Institute conducted a test launch of the newly developed tactical guided missile on the 25th," stating this.

Ri Pyong-chol, Vice Chairman of the Party Central Military Commission, along with officials from the Workers' Party's Military Industry Department and the National Defense Science Research sector, supervised the test, while General Secretary Kim Jong-un was absent.

The Rodong Sinmun reported, "The two new tactical guided missiles tested are weapon systems that utilize the core technology of previously developed tactical guided missiles, with an improved warhead weight of 2.5 tons (t)," and "they accurately struck the designated target in the 600 km area of the East Sea of Korea."

The National Defense Science Institute stated immediately after the test launch, "This test launch was carried out with great success exactly as confidently anticipated," and "through the test launch process, the reliability of the improved solid-fuel engine was confirmed, and the irregular trajectory characteristics of the low-altitude gliding jump flight method, which has already been applied to other guided missiles, were reconfirmed."

Vice Chairman Ri evaluated, "Today's weapons test is an important step in implementing the national defense science policy presented at the 8th Party Congress," and "it holds great significance in strengthening our military power and deterring various military threats present on the Korean Peninsula."