North-Korea-Koreas-Tensions-0_17
SEOUL (Bernama-Yonhap): North Korea conducted a "super-large warhead" power test for a strategic cruise missile and test-fired a new anti-aircraft missile this week, according to Yonhap news agency, citing the North's state media, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Saturday.
The Missile Administration conducted the test of the warhead designed for the "Hwasal-1 Ra-3" strategic cruise missile, and launched its new anti-aircraft missile, the "Pyoljji-1-2," in the Yellow Sea on Friday.
It is the first time that Pyongyang has named a missile "Pyoljji," which means "meteor" in Korean.
"Both tests were part of the regular activities of the administration and its affiliated defence science institutes for the rapid development of technologies and were unrelated to the current geopolitical situation," KCNA added.
On the same day, the South Korean military reported detecting several rounds of cruise missiles and anti-aircraft missiles fired towards the Yellow Sea at around 3:30 pm. They are currently analysing their detailed specifications.
"Our military has been closely monitoring signs of North Korea's provocations and military activities, while maintaining a robust combined defence posture," the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
Previously, on Feb 3, North Korea announced it had conducted what it called a "cruise missile super-large warhead power test" and test-fired a new type of anti-aircraft missile in the Yellow Sea the day before.
The North's Missile Administration had not specified the names of the weapons or the results of these test launches. - Bernama-Yonhap
