North Korea announced on October 1 that it had test-fired a new type of anti-aircraft missile capable of shooting down air targets with greater accuracy than the types of anti-aircraft missiles it possesses.
According to the Korean Central News Agency ( KCNA ), the Korean Academy of Defense Sciences carried out the test on September 30 “to confirm the practicality of the operation of the launcher, radar, and combat command vehicle.” comprehensive, as well as the comprehensive combat performance of the new missile”.
“North Korea also succeeded in raising the range of this missile,” KCNA wrote.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un did not directly supervise this launch. Instead, Mr. Pak Jong-chon, member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party.
This is North Korea’s fourth weapons test in September 2021. Previously, on September 28, Pyongyang tested a new hypersonic missile Hwasong-8. On September 15, North Korea test-fired two short-range ballistic missiles from a train. On September 11 and 12, North Korea test-fired a cruise missile.
North Korea’s latest missile launch comes as Pyongyang’s government talks about improving ties with Seoul on the condition that South Korea give up its “double standard”: criticism of its weapons tests. North Korea but justifies its weapons development.
In his speech at the session of the Supreme People’s Assembly on September 30, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said that cross-border communication lines with South Korea will be restored by the North in early October. as part of efforts to improve inter-Korean relations.
Kim also said that North Korea has “no purpose, nor reason” to provoke the South, and urged Seoul to “put aside the illusion” that it has to stop the North’s actions.