North Korea’s Kim Jong Un Oversees Tactical Weapons Test Near His Mansion
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the test-firing of what the country’s state media said was a new type of tactical guided weapon aimed at boosting its nuclear capabilities, following a series of provocative missile launches that allow Pyongyang to diversify its arsenal.
Two projectiles were launched from North Korea’s east coast around 6 p.m. local time on Saturday, flying about 68 miles and reaching an altitude of about 15 miles, South Korea’s military said. Seoul usually sends alerts about Pyongyang’s missile launches minutes after they occur.
But South Korea didn’t publicize the latest test until Sunday morning, hours after North Korean state media published a brief report of the prior day’s launch. The flight data may suggest one reason for the immediate silence: The projectiles didn’t fly particularly far or high compared with the North’s other launches.
Tactical weapons are often limited to a single battlefield, and can be used to target an armored vehicle, tank or battleship, weapons experts say. So-called strategic weapons, in contrast, generally refer to more-powerful or longer-ranged technology.
Guided missiles can have greater accuracy because their flight path can be adjusted after firing, and can be deployed more effectively against moving targets.
Pyongyang’s state media said its new weapons system improves the firepower of front-line long-range artillery units and enhances the “efficiency in operation of tactical nukes.” The report didn’t specify the precise type of weapon that had been tested.
The test appeared to have been conducted from Mr. Kim’s private beach at his Majon mansion complex, according to photos released by state media. The launch vehicle appeared to have been large enough to carry four missiles.
The Saturday launch occurred a day after North Korea celebrated the 110th anniversary of the birth of Kim Il Sung, the country’s founding leader, who died in 1994. The country’s April 15 festivities included fireworks and a mass dance performance. But in a break with the past, a weapons-flaunting military parade didn’t take place, an unusual choice given that it was a marquee anniversary year.
Pyongyang only held civilian-focused parades and events marking the holiday, without showcasing any new weaponry. Mr. Kim visited his grandfather’s mausoleum on Friday, but didn’t give any reported public remarks.
In January 2021, Mr. Kim outlined a five-year defense development plan to make nuclear weapons “smaller and lighter for more tactical uses.”
Following the latest launch, the Guam Homeland Security Office of Civil Defense said North Korea’s test didn’t pose an immediate threat to Guam or the Northern Marianas. The statement preceded the Kim regime’s own state-media report and the Seoul military assessment by several hours, creating some confusion.
Pyongyang’s test comes amid signs North Korea could resume nuclear testing for the first time since 2017, according to South Korean and U.S. officials, after the Kim regime broke a self-imposed moratorium on intercontinental ballistic missile testing with a full-range launch last month.
Washington and Seoul began preliminary military drills ahead of annual joint exercises expected to start soon. North Korea has often criticized the drills as a threat to its sovereignty. On Saturday, the U.S. 2nd Infantry Division shared photos of troops test-firing a multiple launch rocket system in South Korea. The live-fire exercises took place to “ensure we maintain our readiness,” the U.S. division said on Twitter.
The U.S. has said it is open to talks with North Korea without preconditions, but Pyongyang has ignored the overtures, accusing Washington of maintaining hostile policies such as the military drills. Seoul and Pyongyang haven't held formal nuclear talks since October 2019.
