North Korea conducts test firing of new surface-to-air missile, Kim Jong Un observes (Pyongyang, KCNA/Yonhap) North Korea's Missile General Bureau conducted test firings of two types of newly developed surface-to-air (anti-aircraft) missiles with improved performance against various targets on Aug. 23, with Kim Jong Un, chairman of the State Affairs Commission, observing, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Aug. 24. 2025.8.24

[For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution] nkphoto@yna.co.kr

North Korea has revealed for the first time a scene of successfully intercepting a cruise missile with a surface-to-air missile.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on the 24th that the Missile General Bureau "conducted test firings against various targets to verify the combat performance of two types of improved new anti-aircraft missiles."

The agency assessed, "Through the test firings, it was confirmed that the new anti-aircraft missile weapon system exhibits superior combat responsiveness against various aerial targets, including unmanned combat drones and cruise missiles, and its operational and reaction methods are based on original and special technologies."

It claimed that "the technical characteristics of the two types of improved munitions were recognized as highly suitable for the destruction of various aerial targets."

The agency released several photos showing missiles successfully hitting and shooting down aerial targets, including a scene of striking a cruise missile.

Yoo Yong-won, a member of the People Power Party and a former military correspondent, explained, "This is the first time North Korea has publicly shown a scene of intercepting a cruise missile with a surface-to-air missile. It appears to be 'North Korea's Tor' or similar, a replica of a Russian surface-to-air missile that North Korea displayed at a military parade in the past."

Yoo analyzed, "It is highly probable that North Korea has improved the performance of its surface-to-air missiles, which have had a high failure rate in interception, using Russian technology received in exchange for sending troops to the Ukraine war."

The surface-to-air missile launch scene released by KCNA appears to be a missile that ignites its booster after a cold launch.

This launch method is characteristic of Russian surface-to-air missiles like the 'Tor' and 'S-300.' It is possible that North Korea test-fired surface-to-air missiles improved with Russian technological support for the Tor and S-300.

The shape of the surface-to-air missile in the photos released by the agency is closer to the Tor than the S-300.

Launch of suspected 'North Korean Tor' surface-to-air missile [Provided by Yoo Yong-won, Member of the People Power Party. Reproduction and database prohibited.] 

The Tor is a short-range, mobile surface-to-air missile developed in the 1970s during the Soviet era and deployed by the Russian military in the mid-1980s. It can strike targets up to 16 km away and at altitudes of up to 10 km.

The S-300 is also a medium- to long-range surface-to-air missile developed by the former Soviet Union. It can fly hundreds of kilometers and intercept not only fighter jets but also cruise missiles.

It is known that Russia also transferred technology for its representative air defense weapon system, 'Pantsir,' to North Korea in exchange for sending troops to the Ukraine war.

The Pantsir is equipped with a radar system, surface-to-air guided missiles, and anti-aircraft guns. It can detect aircraft, cruise missiles, and drones up to 40 km away and intercept them from a distance of over 20 km.

The photos released by KCNA on this day did not show the launch of the Pantsir. However, given that North Korea announced it had test-fired two types of new surface-to-air missiles, it is possible that the S-300 or Pantsir was launched along with the Tor.

North Korea did not disclose the names of the surface-to-air missiles test-fired or the missile launchers.

Meanwhile, the Joint Chiefs of Staff reportedly detected and monitored North Korea's surface-to-air missile launch activity beforehand.

A JCS official stated, "Our military tracked and monitored North Korea's training and weapons development trends in the Nampo area yesterday morning," adding, "Detailed specifications are being analyzed by South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities."