A few days after a first simulated “nuclear trigger”, KCNA, the state news agency, announced the launch of a multiple rocket launcher under the supervision of Kim Jong Un.
“The flight characteristics, impact and concentration indices” of the “240 mm shell of a multiple rocket launcher”, manufactured in the new defense industry unit of Pyongyang, were “evaluated from very satisfactory manner” during this test, explained the official KCNA agency.
Kim Jong Un stressed “the need (…) to carry out the ammunition production plan this year, in a qualitative manner,” added KCNA.
This rocket launcher equipped with “new technology will bring a strategic change in strengthening the artillery power” of North Korea, he further declared, according to the same source.
An increase in defense exercises
On Tuesday, KCNA reported that Kim Jong Un had overseen a first simulated “nuclear trigger” of the country, in response to US-South Korean exercises.
After a record missile test in 2023, North Korea has carried out several launches since the start of the year. The North Korean regime notably said in early April that it had tested a new medium-to-long-range solid-fueled hypersonic missile.
On April 19, he announced the test of a “very large warhead” designed for a strategic cruise missile.
Sanctions without effect
Since 2006, Pyongyang has been the subject of a series of UN sanctions which have been reinforced several times subsequently, and which notably prohibit it from developing ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons.
Pyongyang nevertheless continued its banned military programs and, in 2022, declared its status as a nuclear power “irreversible”.
Pyongyang has also considerably hardened its tone against South Korea, now described as a “main enemy” with which any prospect of reunification is in vain.
A consolidated relationship with Moscow
In March, Russia vetoed in the Security Council a draft resolution extending for one year the mandate of the committee of experts responsible for monitoring the implementation of these sanctions.
North Korea has recently strengthened its ties with Russia, its traditional ally isolated since the start of the war in Ukraine. Washington and Seoul accuse Pyongyang of delivering weapons to Moscow in exchange for military technologies.