According to state media, North Korea informed recently on its latest achievement of having tested tactical ballistic missile which can carry a “super-large” warhead and also a strategic cruise missile.
The Official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported the developed system in the tests was “directed” by the head of state, Kim Jong Un, who most of all stressed the strengthening of the country’s armed forces for self-defense.”The military and political situation in the region says some efforts over the work for strengthening of the military capability for self defence has to be treated as number one business,” he said…
In this context, agency reports that “new-type tactical ballistic missile Hwasongpho-11-Da-4.5 is of the 14th grade too, it contained a 4.5 tonnage super-large conventional warhead.” The ballistic missile was employed for testing purposes to measure the accuracy at an operating range of 320km and “the explosive power of its warhead”. In addition, North Korea reportedly also test fired an updated version of a strategic cruise missile that had undergone modifications to allow for deployments in a combat theater.
It has been argued that the numerous missile tests being conducted this year under the North Korean leader Kim might be related to an inappropriate supply of arms to assist Russia in its attack against Ukraine. Neither does North Korea acknowledge making any such weapons deal with Russia in violation of the international sanctions.
Recently North Korea has developed more military relationship with Russia by inviting President Vladimir Putin to Pyongyang in June and signing a mutual defense agreement with Kim as Putin does so. Also Chief of the General Staff of Russian Armed Forces Sergei Shoigu was in Pyongyang on the last weekend, and the North Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs was in Russia earlier this week.
Additionally, a session of the legislature is planned for October where North Korea will most likely pass bills that would fuel South Korean hostility towards them. Such actions would presumably include also the enacting of the constitution of North Korea which embeds the antagonistic relations with the two Koreas within.
