N. Korea: Remarkable anti-aircraft missile being tested

SEOUL: North Korea fired a newly developed anti-aircraft missile, state media KCNA reported, the latest in a recent series of weapons tests that has come as denuclearisation talks with the United States have been in deadlock.

It was North Korea’s second known weapons test this week after the launch of a previously unseen hypersonic missile on Tuesday.

It has also fired ballistic missiles and a cruise missile with potential nuclear capabilities recently.

The tests highlighted how North Korea has been steadily developing increasingly sophisticated weapons, raising the stakes for efforts to press it to give up its nuclear and missile programmes in return for US sanctions relief.

The Academy of Defence Science, a military weapons developer, said the test was aimed at confirming the practical functionality of the missile’s launcher, radar, comprehensive battle command vehicle and combat performance, the official KCNA news agency reported yesterday.

The missile has new key technologies such as twin rudder control and double impulse flight engine.

South Korea’s military said detailed analysis was needed to verify the KCNA report.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un did not appear to have attended the test, which was instead overseen by Pak Jong-chon, a member of the ruling Workers’ Party’s powerful politburo and Central Committee.

“The remarkable combat performance of the new-type anti-aircraft missile with features of rapid responsiveness and guidance accuracy of missile control system as well as the substantial increase in the distance of downing air targets has been verified,” KCNA said.

North Korea has said that its weapons tests are aimed at boosting its defence capabilities just as other countries do, accusing the United States and South Korea of “double standards” and “hostile policy” toward it. — Reuters