Report emerges just before US President Donald Trump’s meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung in Washington, DC.
The report, released on Sunday, arrives on the eve of the meeting between United States President Donald Trump and his South Korean counterpart, President Lee Jae-myung, in Washington, DC.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) of North Korea mentioned that the tests, conducted on Saturday, showed the missiles could react rapidly to a variety of airborne targets, including attack drones and cruise missiles.
While the report did not provide specifics about the new missiles, it highlighted that their “mode of operation and reaction is founded on unique and distinctive technology.”
The location of the test launch was not disclosed.
These launches coincide with the ongoing annual joint military exercises between South Korea and the US, as well as reports that the South Korean military has fired warning shots at North Korean soldiers who briefly crossed the heavily fortified border on Tuesday.
According to the United Nations Command in South Korea, as many as 30 North Korean troops briefly crossed the border, Yonhap News Agency reported.
North Korean state media, citing Army Lieutenant General Ko Jong Chol, described the incident as a “premeditated and deliberate provocation.”
“This is a very serious prelude that would unquestionably drive the situation in the southern border area, where large numbers of forces are stationed in confrontation, towards uncontrollable phases,” said Ko.
Earlier this month, Kim denounced the US-South Korea joint military exercises as “hostile and confrontational” towards his country, vowing to accelerate the development of his nuclear arsenal.
Despite South Korea’s new president, Lee, seeking to improve relations with the nuclear-armed neighbor and promising to build “military trust,” Pyongyang has expressed no interest in enhancing ties with Seoul.
