NORTH KOREA FLEXES MILITARY MUSCLE AGAIN, CONDUCTS TEST ON 'SUPER-LARGE WARHEAD'

Days after it tested a medium-range ballistic missile and a medium-to-long-range solid-fuel hypersonic missile, North Korea on Saturday yet again flexed its military muscles by testing a "super-large warhead" designed for a strategic cruise missile, state media has said.

"The DPRK Missile Administration has conducted a power test of a super-large warhead designed for 'Hwasal-1 Ra-3' strategic cruise missile", KCNA news agency reported.

In addition to this, Pyongyang carried out a test launch of a "'Pyoljji-1-2' new-type anti-aircraft missile in the West Sea of Korea" on Friday that reportedly "attained a certain goal."

Both tests were part of the "regular activities of the administration and its affiliated defence science institutes", KCNA reported, referencing the operation of "new-type weapon systems".

The tests "had nothing to do with the surrounding situation", the report added without providing any details.

Earlier this month, North Korea's Kim Jong Un oversaw the launches of a medium-to-long-range solid-fuel hypersonic missile and a medium-range ballistic missile.

On camera, Kim and many uniformed troops could be seen positioning the missile on its launching truck. The missile then shot off, leaving behind plumes of smoke and flames. The footage was released by the state media.

Pyongyang has been under a raft of international sanctions since its second nuclear test in 2009, but the development of its nuclear and weapons programmes has continued unabated.

So far this year, the nuclear-armed North has declared South Korea its "principal enemy", jettisoned agencies dedicated to reunification and outreach, and threatened war over "even 0.001 mm" of territorial infringement.

Last week, Kim warned that the unstable geopolitical situation around his country means now is the time to be more prepared for war than ever.

During a visit to the  Kim Jong Il University of Military and Politics, the North Korean leader told students that "if the enemy opts for military confrontation with the DPRK, the DPRK will deal a death-blow to the enemy without hesitation by mobilizing all means in its possession."

With inputs from agencies

2024-04-20T03:43:40Z dg43tfdfdgfd