Daijiworld Media Network – Seoul
Seoul, Jun 26: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised a series of major weapons tests and called for strengthening the country's "deadly and destructive offensive posture", state media reported on Friday, days after Pyongyang commissioned its first naval destroyer.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim observed the tests on Thursday to assess the performance of a special mission warhead for a tactical ballistic missile, an upgraded multiple rocket launch system and extended-range shells for a self-propelled gun-howitzer.
KCNA reported that the tests demonstrated technological advances aimed at enhancing North Korea's firepower along its southern border, indicating that the weapons are intended to target key sites in South Korea, including US military bases.
Kim said North Korea's self-defence strategy requires a stronger offensive capability to ensure that "no enemy dares to confront" the country. He added that maintaining a sense of constant fear and uncertainty among adversaries is an important part of Pyongyang's deterrence policy.
The state media also claimed that the special mission warhead is designed to inflict significant damage on strategic enemy infrastructure, including airfields, ports and power facilities.
The latest tests came just two days after North Korea commissioned the 5,000-tonne destroyer Choe Hyon, described by Kim as a symbol of the country's expanding naval and nuclear capabilities. The vessel is regarded as North Korea's most advanced warship to date.
Kim has continued to accelerate the expansion of North Korea's nuclear and conventional military capabilities since diplomatic negotiations with then-US President Donald Trump collapsed in 2019.
Despite repeated calls from Trump to revive talks, Kim has maintained that negotiations can only resume if the United States drops its demand for North Korea's denuclearisation as a precondition.
Relations with South Korea have also deteriorated, with Kim declaring the neighbouring country as North Korea's "principal enemy" and ordering the strengthening of military infrastructure along the heavily fortified border.
In recent years, North Korea has also expanded its diplomatic and military ties with Russia through support for Moscow's war in Ukraine. Earlier this month, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Pyongyang for talks with Kim, marking his first visit to North Korea in seven years.