North Korea tested a new "surface-to-air" missile system under the control of Kim Jong-un
Kyiv • UNN
North Korea has successfully tested a new anti-aircraft missile, which has already been put into mass production. Kim Jong-un stated that the missile's combat speed is reliable.
On March 21, North Korea successfully tested its latest surface-to-air missile system, which was recently put into full-scale production under the control of Kim Jong-un. This is reported by UNN with reference to YonhapNews.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) noted that the test firing was conducted by the country's missile administration on Thursday to "verify the comprehensive characteristics" of the missile system, which is mass-produced at an ammunition production facility.
Kim Jong-un observed the test along with key members of the Party's Central Military Commission and concluded that the air defense missile's combat reaction speed is "beneficial" and "very reliable," KCNA said.
In a photo released with the report, Kim smiled contentedly, apparently at the result of the test.
The country's army will be equipped with another large defense weapons system with commendable combat characteristics, the North Korean leader added, and expressed his gratitude to the responsible research team and the relevant ammunition industry enterprise.
The day before, South Korean armed forces reported that they detected the launch of several surface-to-air missiles in real time from the port city of Nampo in western North Korea, adding that further analysis is underway.
The launch took place at approximately 9 a.m. before South Korea and the United States announced the completion of their annual spring exercises, Freedom Shield, according to a spokesman for the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).
North Korea has condemned the joint exercises of the two countries and said it sees them as a rehearsal for invasion. The DPRK authorities have hinted that they have experience in conducting weapons tests in protest, but this year they have not carried out any serious provocations.