Cluster Munition Equipped on North Korean KTSSM Unveiled in First Test Launch [Yang Nakgyu's Defence Club]

North Korea Claims "Five Missiles Struck an Area 18 Times the Size of a Soccer Field"

Expert Predicts "New Multiple Rocket Launcher Vehicles Could Be Used"

North Korea has announced that it has successfully test-fired a short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile equipped with a cluster warhead. This means North Korea has tested its tactical surface-to-surface guided weapon (KTSSM) fitted with a cluster munition, also known as a submunition warhead. This is the first time North Korea has publicly revealed a test launch involving a cluster munition.

Yonhap News Agency

According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on April 20, "The Missile General Bureau conducted a test launch the previous day to assess the power of the improved ground-to-ground tactical ballistic missile 'Hwasong-11Ra' warhead," adding that "the purpose was to confirm the characteristics and power of both the scatter warhead (cluster munition warhead) and the fragmentation mine warhead applied to the tactical ballistic missile."

The Hwasong-11Ra model is a scaled-down version of the so-called "North Korean Iskander," known as the KN-23. It is similar to the KTSSM launched from the Chunmu system operated by the South Korean military. North Korea has equipped the Hwasong-11Ra with a cluster warhead and a fragmentation mine warhead. The cluster munition, which North Korea calls a "scatter warhead," contains dozens or hundreds of small submunitions within a single warhead; upon explosion, these submunitions disperse in all directions, causing extensive damage to personnel and infrastructure within a wide radius. KCNA claimed, "Five tactical ballistic missiles launched toward a designated target area centered around an island located 136 kilometers away struck a 12.5 to 13-hectare area with very high density." This area is approximately 18 times the size of a soccer field (0.7 hectares).

Recently, North Korea has been increasing its frequency of military provocations, repeatedly launching ballistic and cruise missiles. Earlier this year, North Korea conducted test launches of a hypersonic missile and ballistic missiles (January 4), a modified large-caliber multiple rocket launcher (January 27), and a 600mm super-large multiple rocket launcher (March 14). This month, the intervals between provocations have become even shorter. On the 7th, North Korea fired an unidentified projectile near Pyongyang; on the 8th, it launched a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) from the Wonsan area; on the 12th, it launched cruise missiles and anti-ship missiles from the new destroyer "Choi Hyun." Just a week later, North Korea has engaged in yet another provocation.

The increased frequency of provocations from North Korea is related to an order issued by Workers’ Party General Secretary Kim Jong Un at the 9th Party Congress held in February, instructing more frequent demonstrations of military power to support weapons development. North Korea now classifies such provocations as a form of "routine military activity." Experts believe that North Korea is likely to continue conducting a variety of provocations using different weapons systems for some time. During this period, it is expected that North Korea will focus on "test firings" aimed at verifying the performance and operational capability of new weapons systems that are about to be deployed in actual combat.

Shin Jongwoo, Secretary General of the Korea Defense and Security Forum, remarked, "North Korea is strengthening its asymmetric warfare capabilities, including cluster munitions, learning from the lessons of the Iran war," and added, "Since North Korea has even established a separate strike brigade for the Hwasong-11Ra and publicly announced the deployment of 250 launchers for actual operations, it is necessary to maintain a heightened state of readiness."

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