Pyongyang tests new weapon to improve ‘tactical nuke efficiency’
Seoul, Apr 17 (EFE).- North Korea announced Sunday that it has tested a new type of tactical weapon designed to enhance “the efficiency in the operation of tactical nukes,” according to state media.
The test was carried out on Saturday and was overseen by leader Kim Jong-un, according to state news outlet KCNA, which published photos of the projectiles being launched from a beach and of a small island suffering the impact.
The test, a record 13th that North Korea has carried out this year, comes at a time of tension on the peninsula, where satellites have detected preparations by Pyongyang to carry out a new nuclear test and where Seoul and Washington’s joint spring military exercises begin on Monday.
According to brief information from KCNA, this weapon “is of great significance in drastically improving the firepower of the frontline long-range artillery units and enhancing the efficiency in the operation of tactical nukes of the DPRK (an acronym for the North’s official name) and diversification of their firepower missions.”
Shortly after the North Korean media release, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) confirmed the test.
The JCS said in a statement that the South Korean military detected two projectiles fired by North Korea from Hamhung region towards the East Sea (Sea of Japan) around 6 pm yesterday (09:00 GMT on Saturday).
The projectiles flew about 25 kilometers high, about 110 kilometers in distance and with a top speed of Mach 4.0, the text said, adding that the intelligence agencies of South Korea and the United States are conducting a detailed analysis.
Immediately after the launch, an emergency meeting was held between the military, intelligence agencies and the National Security Office to assess the situation and discuss countermeasures, the statement concluded. EFE
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