North Korea's Missile General Bureau conducted a test launch on the 19th to evaluate the combat capability (warhead) of an improved ground-to-ground tactical ballistic missile, the 'Hwasongpo-11la' type, with Chairman Kim Jong Un and his daughter Ju Ae observing, Korean Central Television reported on the 20th. [Photo from Korean Central Television] 

North Korea announced that it test-launched a new 'light multi-purpose missile launcher' and a 'multi-barrel tactical cruise missile weapon system'.

Korean Central News Agency reported on the 27th that important weapon launch tests by national defense science research institutions were conducted the previous day, with Chairman Kim Jong Un observing.

The agency stated that the test involved analyzing and evaluating the combat power of the tactical ballistic missile's 'special mission warhead,' the reliability of the 240mm guided multiple rocket launcher shells with extended range, and the AI-guided precision strike accuracy of tactical cruise missiles.

Chairman Kim expressed great satisfaction with the results, stating, "Important and challenging national defense science and technology have been introduced into practical weapon testing," according to the agency.

The Central News Agency also reported that the 'tactical cruise missile' is scheduled to be deployed to long-range artillery brigades in the southern border region, and that Chairman Kim gave a positive assessment of the military value of this weapon system.

The agency claimed that the 'tactical cruise missile' is a tactical weapon system that precisely strikes targets at a range of 100 km using a combination of a super-precision autonomous navigation system and a terrain contour matching navigation system, along with an AI terminal guidance function and a gliding-propulsion combined flight mode.

If a cruise missile weapon system with a range of 100 km, as claimed by North Korea, is deployed along North Korea's southern border, near the Military Demarcation Line, most of the Seoul metropolitan area, including Seoul, could be within its range.

Chairman Kim expressed satisfaction, stating, "The important weapon system development tests conducted today are a clear signal of the renewal of our military power and a significant technological advancement in strengthening our army's combat capability," and added that "the firing control systems and automation systems of all launch vehicles have been completely updated to meet the conditions of modern warfare, enhancing their combat applicability."

He further stated, "The current situation necessitates continuous renewal of military power," and "Building the most modern and powerful artillery force that no one can match is our top priority policy direction in force construction."

Chairman Kim also threatened, "It is an essential condition for our army's operational execution to possess destructive power that makes the survival of opposing forces theoretically impossible, without relying on luck," adding, "Such capability will instill extreme unease and fear in the enemy and is itself an important link in war deterrence, exercised responsibly."

Earlier, the Joint Chiefs of Staff announced on the 26th that they had detected various projectiles, including short-range ballistic missiles, launched into the West Sea from the vicinity of Jeongju, North Pyongan Province.

Military authorities assess that the short-range ballistic missiles flew approximately 80 km, and that multiple rocket launchers (a type of multiple launch rocket system) were also launched along with the short-range ballistic missiles.

North Korea's simultaneous launch of short-range ballistic missiles and multiple rocket launchers is unusual, and it is interpreted as an intention to showcase its air defense penetration and strike capabilities through a 'mixed-fire' tactic.

There is also an interpretation that this launch test is a response to the South Korean government's 'Basic Plan for the Development of Nuclear-Powered Submarines of the Republic of Korea.'

Minister of National Defense Ahn Gyu-baek reported the related basic plan at the '1st Future National Defense Strategy Committee' held in Jinhae, Gyeongsangnam-do, the previous day, with President Lee Jae-myung in attendance.

The news of North Korea's launch test was not published in the Rodong Sinmun, which is read by North Korean residents.

This was the first ballistic missile launch by North Korea in 37 days since March 19th, and the eighth this year.