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CHOREAS-TENSIONS
North Korea announced on Sunday that it had successfully test-fired a new tactical remote-controlled weapon, its latest launch following the country celebrated its most important state anniversary without its long-awaited military parade often showcasing challenging weapons systems.
The test, one of several this year, came amid concerns that North Korea might carry out a larger provocation, such as testing a nuclear explosive in an attempt to expand its atomic arsenal and increase pressure on rivals at a time when diplomacy is at a standstill.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that President Kim Jong Un observed the launch, which he said will increase the effective operation of the country’s tactical nuclear forces and the offensive power of its artillery corps. long range.
Without going into details, the KCNA dispatch hinted that the tested weapon would have the capacity to carry a nuclear warhead.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement Sunday that it detected two missile launches from North Korea’s eastern coastal town of Hamhung at sunset on Saturday.
It noted that the projectiles flew regarding 110 kilometers (68 miles) with a peak of 25 kilometers (16 miles) and a top speed of Mach 4. According to the statement, South Korean intelligence authorities and USA discuss additional details of the releases. The South Korean government separately held an emergency meeting to discuss the launches.
North Korea began the year by conducting a series of weapons tests, including the first intercontinental ballistic missile test flight since 2017. South Korean and U.S. officials said Pyongyang might carry out additional provocative launches such as another intercontinental ballistic missile, the of a rocket to put a spy satellite into orbit or even a nuclear test, which would be the seventh of its kind.
