DPRK develops new guided shell and control system for missiles

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
12 Feb 2024 08:47

The DPRK notes that the test firing of 240 mm shells has already been conducted in an attempt to assess their accuracy, adding that this update will "qualitatively change" the structure of the country’s multiple-launch rocket systems.

This photo provided by the DPRK shows an intercontinental ballistic missile in a launch drill, on March 16, 2023. (AP)

The DPRK's state-run news agency KCNA reported on Monday that a new guided shell and control system for multiple launch rocket systems has been developed by the North Korean Academy of Defense Science.

It noted that the test firing of 240 mm shells has already been conducted in an attempt to assess their accuracy, adding that this update will "qualitatively change" the structure of the country’s multiple-launch rocket systems.

This news comes a day after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol ordered his Marine Corps to "act first, report later" if provoked, citing increasing threats from the DPRK.

Yoon has been backed by the United States and Japan since taking office in 2022, under claims of "defense cooperation", including the expansion of joint drills.

According to Yoon's office, the President said "If the enemy provokes us, adhere to the principle of 'act first, report later' and respond decisively and overwhelmingly without hesitation to completely shatter the enemy's will."

Countering the alliance

Russian Ambassador to North Korea Alexander Matsegora stated two days ago that his country believes the DPRK could conduct nuclear testing if the US-South Korean provocations persist, stressing that the blame will fall on the US.

“If American provocations continue, if they become more and more dangerous, I do not rule out that the leadership of the DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea], in the interest of strengthening the defense capability of their state, will be forced to decide to conduct a nuclear test. This is certainly an undesirable scenario. But if this does happen, the responsibility will lie entirely with the Americans and their allies,” Matsegora explained in an interview for Sputnik.

According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in January, an underwater nuclear weapon system was tested by the DPRK in response to the joint military exercises conducted by the South Korea, Japan, and US alliance - citing a statement by a spokesperson for DPRK's Defense Ministry.

It is worth noting that the DPRK increased its weapon testing activities since the new year to include underwater nuclear weapon testing and a solid-fuel hypersonic ballistic missile, especially amid US-South Korea military exercises in the region.

The United States, South Korea, and Japan engaged in extensive joint naval exercises, as reported by South Korea's military on January 17. Concurrently, senior diplomats from the three allies were scheduled to convene in Seoul to address the escalating tensions with Pyongyang.