North Korea Tests the Resilience of Strategic Cruise Missiles and Anti-Aircraft Missiles

North Korean media photos showed two missiles fired from a launch truck believed to be capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

KOREAN CENTRAL NEWS AGENCY/KOREA NEWS SERVICE VIA AP)

In a photo released by North Korean news agency, KCNA, on Saturday (20/4/2024), the Hwasal-1 Ra-3 strategic cruise missile was launched from its launcher vehicle in a location in North Korea on Friday (19/4/2024).

PYONGYANG, SATURDAY - North Korea tested its weapon capabilities again by launching a strategic cruise missile with a "super large" warhead and an anti-aircraft missile in the coastal areas on the west side of the Korea Sea on Friday (April 19, 2024). It is believed that both missiles can carry a nuclear warhead.

A report from the North Korean news agency, KCNA, on Saturday (20/4/2024), mentioned that the North Korean Missile Administrator conducted a test of a new strategic roaming missile, Hwasal-1 Ra-3, and an anti-aircraft missile, Pyoljji-1-2, on Friday evening, local time. In its report on Saturday, KCNA stated that the missile's test objectives had been achieved without providing further details.

A number of photos released by KCNA show two missiles being launched from a launcher truck on a runway. The location of the missile launch test was not explained in detail.

Also read: Nuclear, the power that weakens North Korea

"Our military has been closely monitoring signs of provocation and North Korean military activity while maintaining a strong joint defense posture," said a South Korean military statement Saturday, quoted on the South Korean news agency's website, Yonhap .

AFP PHOTO/KCNA VIA KNS

In a photo released by North Korean news agency KCNA on Saturday (20/4/2024), the Pyoljji-1-2 anti-aircraft missile was launched from a launcher vehicle located west of the Korean Sea, North Korea, on Friday (19/4/2024).

The test launch was the fourth known missile test to the public since January 2024. The test was previously conducted in early February 2024, although at that time North Korea did not specifically mention the name of the cruise missile or anti-aircraft missile being tested.

Also read: North Korea Tests Missiles within Range of US Base in Guam

However, by testing the same two missiles at different times, it can be understood that North Korea may have made technological advancements after testing the same system for several weeks.

By testing the same two missiles at different times, it can be understood that North Korea may have made technological advancements after testing the same system for several weeks.

In its report, KCNA insisted that the tests carried out by North Korea were part of the country's regular military development activities and had no relation to the surrounding geopolitical and geostrategic situation.

"The two trials are part of the routine activities of the government and its affiliated defense research institutions aimed at developing various aspects of its technology, such as tactical and technical performance as well as operating new weapon systems. This has nothing to do with the surrounding situation," said the North Korean Missile Administrator, as reported by KCNA.

RADITYA HELABUMI JAYAKARNA

Several military weapon units participated in a military parade during North Korea's 73rd anniversary celebration at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang on September 9, 2021.

Tensions on The Korean Peninsula have increased in recent years, after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un demonstrated his country's military capabilities and weapons. He ordered numerous tests of ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

The time between missile tests is getting closer: from every six months, it is now becoming once a month or even less than that by 2024. According to South Korean military records, North Korea has conducted six test launches of cruise missiles in the last four months.

According to South Korean military records, North Korea has conducted six tests of cruise missile launches in the past four months.

Tensions have escalated after North Korea closed the door to reconciliation with South Korea. Pyongyang disbanded several organizations that worked to manage relations with Seoul, such as the National Peace Reunification Committee, the National Economic Cooperation Bureau, and the International Tourism Administration.

Kim Jong Un even ordered the inclusion of South Korea as the country's number one enemy in his constitution.

The South Korean government, along with its allies the United States and Japan, responded to Pyongyang's stance by intensifying their joint military exercises, particularly to sharpen their prevention strategies.

Also read: US Talks, North Korea Is Ignorant

Cruise missiles are one of North Korea's many weapons designed to defeat regional missile defenses. These missiles are part of North Korea's ballistic missile arsenal, which includes intercontinental ballistic missiles aimed at the Americas. The latest test of North Korea's cruise missiles demonstrated their ability to reach U.S. military bases in Guam, which are 4,000 kilometers away.

Analysts say that anti-aircraft missile technology is an area that can provide benefits for Pyongyang if North Korea works closely with Russia, a strategic rival of the US. Washington and Seoul have repeatedly accused Pyongyang, along with Iran, of providing artillery and other equipment to Russia to assist their invasion of Ukraine.

AFP/KNS/KCNA

An undated photo released by the North Korean news agency, KCNA, on December 19, 2023, shows North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un (left) and his daughter observing the launch of the Hwasongpho-18 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at a secret location in North Korea.

The test launch of the Hwasal-1 Ra-3 cruise missile and the Pyoljji-1-2 anti-aircraft missile was conducted shortly after the US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, traveled to South Korea and Japan. The senior US State Department diplomat's visit was to seek alternative actions after the UN Security Council failed to expand the mandate of the expert panel tasked with monitoring the enforcement of sanctions on North Korea's nuclear and missile program.

During a visit to the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas on Tuesday (16/4/2024), Thomas-Greenfield mentioned that Washington and Seoul are considering unconventional options to continue monitoring sanctions against Pyongyang. (AP/AFP/REUTERS)