Kim Jong Un expresses satisfaction after observing test launch, North Korea announced that they successfully conducted a test launch of a new short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) equipped with a high-explosive warhead.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observing missile launch training. / Chosun Central News = Yonhap News
‘Today (19th), according to the report by Chosun Central News, the North Korean Missile Bureau announced that they successfully carried out test launches of the new “Hwasong-11-4.5” ballistic missile with an improved strategic cruise missile on yesterday (18th).
This missile test launch is the second one following the one on July 1.
According to the report, the purpose of the test launch of the new ballistic missile equipped with a 4.5-ton high-explosive warhead is to confirm the target accuracy at a medium range of 320 km and the explosive power of the large warhead.
It was reported that Kim Jong Un expressed satisfaction after observing this test launch.
According to Chosun Central News, Kim also stated, “The military-political situation in the region threatening the national security environment today underscores the need for self-sufficient military capabilities as our country’s top priority.”
He also emphasized, “Along with enhancing our nuclear capabilities, we must also possess the world’s strongest military technology and overwhelming offensive power in the conventional weapons (traditional weapons) sector.”
The news of Kim Jong Un’s local guidance on that day was reflected in external media like Chosun Central News, but it was not published in the party organ newspaper Rodong Sinmun, which is read by residents.
Although this test launch is aimed at external targets such as the U.S. and South Korea, it is highly unusual that Kim Jong Un’s local guidance news did not appear in Rodong Sinmun. Analysis suggests that it is a very exceptional case.