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North Korean authorities confirmed that the short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) fired from Pyongyang towards the East Sea on the 18th was a super-large multiple rocket launcher (MRL). North Korea claims this MRL, known as the KN-25 series, can be equipped with tactical nuclear warheads.
According to the Korean Central News Agency, on the 19th, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised a firing drill at a Western military artillery unit the previous day. In particular, six super-large multiple rocket launchers were fired simultaneously, hitting a target that appeared to be Alsum, an uninhabited island in the sea off Kilju County, North Hamgyong Province. Photos of the event were published.
The news agency reported that the drill’s purpose was to confirm the weapon system’s power and practical capability through the fiery maneuver and simultaneous firing of the 600mm MRL units. After the firing, the news agency reported that a simulated test of an air explosion at the target altitude set by the super-large MRL was also conducted. Exploding warheads in the air can maximize damage.
Kim emphasized at the location, “We must strongly instill in our enemies the perception that there is no way to avoid disastrous consequences if an armed clash and war break out.”
He continued, “We must be more thorough in fulfilling our mission to block and deter the possibility of war with our destructive attack means, which are always ready to collapse the enemy’s capital and military structure.”
He also stated, “The position and role that the newly equipped super-large MRL occupies in war preparation is crucial,” and “By making MRL the center, we must continue modernizing our artillery forces vigorously.”
Kim Jong Sik, Deputy Director of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party, and Jang Chang Ha, Director of the Missile Bureau, were present on the day.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff of South Korea had previously announced that they had detected several short-range ballistic missiles that North Korea had fired from the Pyongyang area towards the East Sea, flying about 186 miles.
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