North Korea has carried out a series of weapons tests this week, including trials of a tactical ballistic missile warhead and an electromagnetic weapons system, according to state media, in a move likely to heighten tensions on the Korean peninsula.
Pyongyang conducted several significant weapons tests this week, including trials involving a tactical ballistic missile warhead and an electromagnetic weapons system.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the country’s Academy of National Defence and its Missile Administration carried out tests on April 6, 7 and 8. These included an evaluation of the combat effectiveness and dispersal power of a cluster-type warhead designed for a tactical ballistic missile, alongside trials of an electromagnetic weapons system.
The report stated that the cluster warhead, mounted on a ground-to-ground tactical ballistic missile of the Hwasongpho-11A type, demonstrated the capability to destroy targets across an area of approximately 6.5 to 7 hectares with what it described as “extremely high density.”
Additional tests were also conducted on carbon fibre-based mock bombs and a mobile short-range surface-to-air missile system.
Earlier on Wednesday, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported that its military had detected the launch of several short-range ballistic missiles from North Korea towards the Sea of Japan.
South Korean military officials estimated that the missiles travelled around 240 kilometres. The launches mark North Korea’s fourth ballistic missile test this year.
