Ballistic missile test from North Korea

According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the country's leader, Kim Jong-un, observed the test launches of the missiles in question.

The test launch of the tactical ballistic missile named "Hwasongpho-11-Da-4.5," which has the "capacity to carry a 4.5-ton class super-large warhead," was conducted to verify its accuracy at a range of 320 kilometers. Additionally, a test launch of an improved strategic cruise missile was also carried out.

Kim stated that the development of weapon and equipment performance through these tests is "directly related to the serious threat posed by external forces to North Korea's security environment," and noted his satisfaction with the results of the tests. The North Korean leader also emphasized the necessity of increasing the country's nuclear power, stating that he views the strengthening of military capabilities as the "most important issue" due to the "current security environment threatened by the political and military situation in the region."

On the other hand, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) had issued a statement yesterday regarding the North's missile tests. The statement indicated that multiple short-range ballistic missiles were fired from the Kaechon region of North Korea toward the northeast at approximately 07:00 local time.

The statement, which reported that the missiles traveled a distance of approximately 400 kilometers, conveyed that South Korea strongly condemns these actions by the North. On July 2, North Korea had also announced the successful test of a tactical ballistic missile named "Hwasongpho-11Ta-4.5," which has the "capacity to carry a 4.5-ton class super-large warhead."

Following this, JCS Spokesperson Colonel Lee Sung-jun had stated that Pyongyang's claim of having "successfully conducted" the missile test was "most likely a lie."

News Source: AA