North Korea Conducts Missile Test, Kim Jong-un Attends
North Korea conducted a test of strategic nuclear-capable ballistic missiles on Wednesday, with the country’s leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly in attendance. According to the state news agency, KCNA, Kim ordered a comprehensive readiness for the use of nuclear attack capabilities to ensure the defense of the country.
The test aimed to demonstrate the readiness of various nuclear striking capabilities and to warn enemies who seriously threaten the country’s security, KCNA said. Kim was quoted as saying, “What is guaranteed by a strong striking power is the best deterrent and defense capability.”
The test involved the launch of ballistic missiles over the Yellow Sea, off the west coast of the Korean Peninsula, KCNA reported. The agency said the missiles flew along a 1,587-kilometer oval flight path for over 130 minutes before striking their targets with precision.
The test was conducted after Kim’s visits to military facilities in Pyongyang earlier in the week, during which he called for the development of modern armed forces capable of waging any type of war.
The exact location of the test is not specified in the KCNA statement, but a report by NK News, a website specializing in North Korea, said the missiles were launched near the city of Nampo, about 130 kilometers from the border with South Korea and hit a building on Sangchwira-do Island, near Nampo.
South Korea’s military confirmed the launches and said it had detected multiple ballistic missiles fired towards the Yellow Sea at around 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday. The South Korean news agency, Yonhap, quoted the chief of the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff as saying, “Our military is closely monitoring North Korea’s various activities as part of the joint defense posture with the US, to prevent North Korea from misjudging the current security situation.”
This was North Korea’s second missile test since US President Donald Trump’s return to the White House, following a test of strategic sea-based ballistic missiles on January 25.