BEIJING - North Korea said Wednesday it had conducted tests of updated ballistic and cruise missile systems, as well as artillery rockets.
Leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the tests, which are part of the country's plan to modernize weapons and achieve its five-year defense development goal.
The announcement of Tuesday's tests involving a "multiple tactical cruise missile weapon system" and a "lightweight multi-purpose missile launching system" came a day after South Korea's military said North Korea launched multiple projectiles, including a short-range ballistic missile, off its west coast.
According to the South Korean military, the projectiles were fired at around 1 p.m. and flew about 80 kilometers. It was the first North Korean ballistic missile launch since April 19.
North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency said the tests included analyzing and estimating the power of a "special mission warhead of tactical ballistic missile" as well as the artificial intelligence-guided hit accuracy of a "tactical cruise missile."
KCNA claimed that the tactical cruise missiles, which employ an ultra-precise autonomous navigation system, can strike targets up to 100 km away. They will reportedly be deployed to long-range artillery brigades along the southern border with South Korea.
Kim expressed satisfaction over the test results, saying they showed "a clear signal of upgrading of our military force." He added the firing control system and automation system of all the launching vehicles have been updated to "suit the proper conditions of modern warfare so as to enhance their application to combat."
