North Korea announced that the country’s missile administration successfully conducted test-fires of a new-type of ballistic missile capable of carrying a 4.5 tonnage super-large conventional warhead. It also confirmed test fires of a new-type of “tactical ballistic missile”.

The tests were performed under the supervision of Kim Jong Un. According to the Korean Central News Agency, Kim led the launch of the Hwasongpho-11-Da-4.5 tipped with a 4.5 tonnage super-large conventional warhead.

The test-fire was reportedly aimed at verifying its accuracy of hitting at a range of 320 km and the missile’s explosive power when loaded with the super-large warhead.

The administration also conducted a test-fire of strategic cruise missile, likely nuclear, whose “performance has been highly upgraded for its combat use”. KCNA released pictures of the missiles hitting a marked target.

KCNA reported that Kim Jong Un said that bolstering military capabilities “in the face of current political situation” and deterring threats from foreign countries is the utmost priority of the country.

“Only when we have strong power, can we contain and frustrate the enemies’ strategic misjudgment and will to use armed forces.”

Kim Jong Un

The tests seem to be linked to multiple missile-launches performed by North Korea on Wednesday as reported by Japan and South Korea. The country had also raised eyebrows across the world after unveiling a Uranium enriched facility after vowing to strengthen its nuclear arsenal.

This also follows several provocations by the North, most notably sending large balloons filled with toxic and pungent waste over the southern border. North Korea declared South Korea its “principal enemy” as diplomatic talks between the country have been long-stalled. The North also recently moved nuclear-capable weapons to border areas.

Security Concerns

The UN security council has imposed more than a dozen sanctions on North Korea to discourage the country’s nuclear and defense ambitions.

Source: Bloomberg

The sanctions ban the trade of weapons and military equipment, freeze the assets of people involved in the nuclear program, and restrict scientific cooperation, among other actions.

While the sanctions had a very detrimental effect on North Korea’s economy, experts say that their effectiveness is undermined by the countries’ unwillingness to enforce them. In response, Kim Jong Un believes nuclear warfare to be key for his country’s survival amidst the development of its rivals.

North Korea is also accused of supplying ballistic missiles and weaponry to Russia in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine. However, the country has denied any sanctions-busting weapons trade with Russia.  

It has also recently bolstered military ties with Moscow, with President Vladimir Putin making a rare visit to Pyongyang in June, where he signed a mutual defense agreement with Kim. Kim received Russian security chief Sergei Shoigu in Pyongyang last weekend and sent the North’s foreign minister, Choe Sun Hui to Russia earlier this week.

Choe Sun Hui also visited Moscow earlier this year in January, where she held talks with Putin. The US and its partners reportedly viewed the meeting as means to facilitate the alleged trades of arms for use in the Russia-Ukraine war.