North Korean leader Kim oversees weapons tests, KCNA reports


North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks during the commissioning ceremony of the new multipurpose destroyer Choe Hyon at Nampho port, North Korea, June 23, 2026, in this picture released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency. KCNA via REUTERS

SEOUL, June 26 (Reuters) - ⁠North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ⁠oversaw tests of key weapons on Thursday ‌as part of the country's goal for the modernisation of its missile program, state media KCNA reported on ​Friday.

The tests involved an upgraded ⁠version of a ⁠240-mm, 24-tube multiple rocket launcher system, tactical ballistic ⁠missiles, ‌and a 155-mm self-propelled howitzer, KCNA said.

The upgraded rocket launcher is equipped ⁠with an autonomous precision guidance system with ​its ‌firing range extended to 90 kilometres (56 miles), ⁠the media ​report said.

Kim, expressing satisfaction with the test results, said Pyongyang was pursuing automation, long-range capability ⁠and "ultra-precision" in its weapons programmes, according ​to KCNA.

The goal is for its defence along its southern border, Kim said, effectively referring ⁠to the one with South Korea.

In May, North Korea said it had tested a mix of tactical ballistic missiles, artillery rockets and ​AI-guided precision cruise missiles designed ⁠for modern warfare.

Pyongyang has been steadily upgrading ​its tactical and conventional arsenal, ‌vowing to deploy it ​near the border with South Korea.

(Reporting by Heejin Kim; Editing by Rod Nickel)

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