Leader Kim Jong Un has said ‘military muscle’ necessary for self-defence, but repeated weapons tests draw international concern.
North Korea has confirmed it carried out its fourth weapons test this month on Monday, firing two tactical guided missiles – the latest in a series of weapons tests despite a United Nations ban.
The Academy of Defence Science conducted a test of tactical guided missiles from the country’s west, and they “precisely hit an island target” off the east coast, North Korea’s state media, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), said on Tuesday.
“The test-fire was aimed to selectively evaluate tactical guided missiles being produced and deployed and to verify the accuracy of the weapon system,” the KCNA said.
“[It] confirmed the accuracy, security and efficiency of the operation of the weapon system under production.”
The launches were detected by both Japan and South Korea, which said the test took place at Pyongyang airport and involved two short-range ballistic missiles.
Earlier this month, the North twice tested what it said were “hypersonic missiles” as well as a railway-mounted ballistic missile.
The tests have drawn international concern, with the United States calling for even tougher sanctions further angering Pyongyang.
After a call with his South Korean and Japanese counterparts, the US Special Representative for North Korea, Sung Kim, urged Pyongyang to “cease its unlawful and destabilising activities” and reopen dialogue, saying he was open to meeting “without preconditions”, the State Department said.
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