Pyongyang: North Korea has test-fired an upgraded large-caliber multiple rocket launcher system (MRLS) to assess its effectiveness, overseen by leader Kim Jong-un, state media reported Wednesday. Kim emphasized the significance of the test, highlighting its role in enhancing the country's strategic deterrent capabilities and its potential for specific targeted attacks, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) stated.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the weapons test coincides with the anticipated convening of North Korea's first ruling party congress in five years, set for early next month. This upcoming ninth congress is expected to outline plans for strengthening the country's nuclear deterrent strategy. Kim Jong-un, quoted by KCNA, mentioned the improvement of various aspects of the MRLS, such as its strike capability, mobility, intelligence, and hitting accuracy.
South Korea's military had reported detecting multiple short-range ballistic missiles launched from north of Pyongyang toward the East Sea prior to the test. Kim highlighted the system's self-steered precisely guided flight feature, underlining the continued advancement of North Korea's defense technology. He stressed that these developments aim solely to enhance the country's deterrent against nuclear conflict.
Kim reiterated the party's consistent national defense policy of building reliable offensive capabilities to support its deterrence strategy. Accompanying Kim at the test were his daughter Ju-ae, Kim Jong-sik, first vice department director of the party's Central Committee, and Jang Chang-ha, chief of the Missile Administration.
The test seems to be a demonstration of North Korea's military capabilities in anticipation of the ninth congress, where five-year development plans for various sectors, including defense and the economy, are expected to be revealed. The test also took place during the visit of U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby to South Korea, where discussions included Seoul's interest in developing nuclear-powered submarines.
The KCNA reported that Tuesday's test involved four MRLS rockets using new technology, successfully hitting a target 358.5 kilometers away. Experts speculate that the self-steered precisely guided flight system might involve a new navigation system designed to resist GPS jamming. Shin Jong-woo of the Korea Defense and Security Forum suggested the possible involvement of a military-grade GPS system from Russia, which is resistant to jamming.
Lim Eul-chul from Kyungnam University's Institute for Far Eastern Studies proposed that the MRLS's capability for "specific attacks" might imply its potential use for carrying tactical nuclear weapons. The 600-millimeter caliber multiple rocket launchers have a maximum range of 400 km, placing key military bases in South Korea within their reach.