North Korea tests nuclear-capable rocket launcher
North Korea has tested a sophisticated multiple rocket launcher system capable of carrying nuclear weapons, state media reported. The test came on Sunday (March 15), a day after South Korea detected the launch of about 10 ballistic missiles, AFP reported.
The test came as South Korean and US troops began joint spring military exercises that will run until March 19. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised the test of a multiple rocket launcher system (MRLS) on Saturday.
The media reported that 12 “ultra-precise” 600mm caliber multiple rocket launchers and two artillery companies took part in the test. KCNA reported that Kim said the drill had created “destabilization” among Pyongyang’s enemies and given a “deep understanding” of the destructive power of strategic nuclear weapons. The weapons have a range of 420 kilometers (about 260 miles).
The rockets hit an island target in the East Sea of Korea more than 360 kilometers away, KCNA said today. Kim praised the MRLS, describing it as an “extremely deadly but attractive weapon.” Photos released by state media showed multiple rockets flying in the sky.
Another photo showed Kim Jong Un watching the launch from a distance with his daughter Ju Ae, along with a military official. Ju Ae has long been seen as the country’s potential successor. His recent appearance at several high-profile public events has reinforced that perception.
South Korea’s presidential residence and office condemned the launches as “provocations that violate UN Security Council resolutions” and called on Pyongyang to immediately cease such activities. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected multiple launches from North Korea into the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan, yesterday.
The South Korean presidential residence and office, the Blue House, strongly condemned the incident, calling it a violation of UN Security Council resolutions and “provocative” and calling on Pyongyang to immediately cease such activities. South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said US President Donald Trump was “positive” about meeting with the North Korean leader. The missile launch came hours after that.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration is seeking to resume high-level talks with Pyongyang. Discussions are also underway about a possible summit during Trump’s visit to Beijing later this month. After long avoiding such proposals, Kim recently said the two countries could “work together” if Washington accepted Pyongyang’s nuclear stance.
