North Korea continues weapons testing amid rising tensions on the Korean peninsula. Most recently, warheads for new cruise missiles and anti-aircraft missiles are said to have been tested.
In order to develop new weapons systems, the self-proclaimed nuclear power North Korea has reportedly tested a “super-large warhead” for strategic cruise missiles. In addition, the General Missile Office also launched anti-aircraft missiles towards the open sea for test purposes on Friday, state media reported. The tests served their purpose. No further details were given.
The tests were therefore in the context of the development of new types of weapon systems. The warhead is intended to equip a Hwasal-1 Ra-3 guided missile. The anti-aircraft missile was of the “Pyoltsi-1-2” type. Their testing has nothing to do with the current situation in the region.
According to reports from the national news agency Yonhap, South Korea’s military recorded the tests in the largely isolated neighboring country. Several guided missiles and rockets were fired towards the sea between the Korean peninsula and China. The military said it was closely monitoring whether there were signs of North Korean provocations.
Tensions on the Korean peninsula have increased significantly. Since the beginning of 2022, North Korea has increasingly tested nuclear-capable missiles. According to its own information, it had recently tested strategic cruise missiles several times to expand the country’s nuclear power. South Korea increased its cooperation with its ally USA.
Both countries are concerned that North Korea could receive increasing help with weapons technology from Moscow in return for its supposed arms deliveries to Russia. According to the South Korean Defense Ministry, North Korea, ruled by Kim Jong Un, is supporting Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine by supplying thousands of containers with ammunition and military equipment.
