North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles on Sunday, by which it tested the power of its cluster munitions, its government news agency said it on Monday.
The Sunday launches, which were supervised by leader Kim Jong Un, aimed to verify the characteristics and power of cluster bomb warhead and fragmentation mine warhead applied to the tactical ballistic missile, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.
They followed other tests in recent weeks of weaponry, including ballistic missiles, anti-warship cruise missiles, and cluster munitions. Neither Korea has signed the 2008 Oslo Convention against cluster bombs. South Korea criticises the launches and called on the North to cease such provocations.
KCNA stated that the ‘manoeuvre’ tested the warhead of the Hwasongpho-11Ra from surface-to-surface tactical ballistic missile. Five projectiles were fired towards a target area around an island about 136 kilometres from the launch-site, it mentioned.
They struck an area of 12.5 to 13 hectares with very high density, displaying their combat might.
“Kim expressed great satisfaction over the test results and noted that, the development of cluster bomb warheads can boost the high-density striking capability to quell a specific target area as well as the high-precision striking capability”, according to the statement of KCNA.
Hong Min, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, informed that the reported range would put Seoul and key US military installations within Pyongyang’s reach.
Yang Moo-jin, a professor at Seoul’s University of North Korean Studies, noted that frontline corps commanders observed the test in contrast to the weapons researchers who watched previous ones. “This suggests the system is nearing operational deployment, with the capability to be launched directly from forward positions against South Korea and US bases,” he added.
The United States stations about 28,000 troops in the South to help it defend against military threats from the North. South Korea reported the test on Sunday by saying that its military had detected several short-range ballistic missiles fired from the Sinpo area in eastern North Korea.
Seoul reportedly said that it was maintaining a ‘firm combined defence posture’ with the United States and would respond overwhelmingly to any provocation. “Pyongyang must immediately halt its successive missile provocations that are heightening tensions, and actively engage in the South Korean government’s efforts to establish peace”, the defence ministry of S.Korea stated.
North Korea is subject to multiple United Nations sanctions banning its nuclear weapons development and use of ballistic missile technology, such restrictions it has repeatedly flouted. Earlier in April, Kim Jong Un oversaw tests of strategic cruise missiles launched from a naval warship, with official photos showing him watching the firings flanked by military officials. Those tests were carried out from the Choe Hyon, one of two 5,000-tonne destroyers in the North’s arsenal, both were launched in last year. The North is also building two more 5,000-tonne class destroyers for adding to its fleet.
