North Korea tests two new air defense missiles
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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the launch of two new air defense missiles, with state media reporting “superior combat capability,” amid renewed tensions with Seoul over border incidents.
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North Korean leader Kim JOng Un, center, oversees a launch of the country's newly built Hwasongpho-11-Da-4.5 ballistic missile at an undisclosed place in North Korea on September 18, 2024. (AP)
North Korea has successfully tested two new air defense missiles under the supervision of leader Kim Jong Un, state media announced on Sunday, just days after Pyongyang accused Seoul of escalating tensions along their shared border.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Saturday’s missile test demonstrated that the new air defense systems possess “superior combat capability.” Images released by state outlets showed Kim Jong Un observing the launch as part of efforts to enhance North Korea’s defense readiness.
Pyongyang accuses Seoul of provocation
The announcement came after North Korea accused South Korea’s military of firing warning shots in the border region last Tuesday. Pyongyang denounced the action as a “deliberate provocation,” intensifying friction between the two neighbors.
The accusations stand in contrast to recent comments by South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, who pledged to scale back certain military activities near the border. He described the move as part of efforts to ease tensions and improve relations between the two Koreas, which have remained technically at war since the 1950s.
The missile launch follows a series of weapons development activities by North Korea, including calls from Kim Jong Un to expand nuclear capabilities and continued criticism of joint military drills between Washington and Seoul.
South Korea aims to ease tensions, DPRK labels talks 'false dream'
South Korea's (ROK) President Lee Jae Myung said on Friday, August 15, that his nation vowed to respect the DPRK's political system and work toward building a "military trust".
Lee said he has reached out to Pyongyang in an attempt to begin dialogue without preconditions, a shift from the more outwardly hawkish policies of his ousted predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol.
Lee said during an event celebrating the anniversary of liberation from Japanese rule that his government "will take consistent measures to substantially reduce tensions and restore trust" with Pyongyang.
"We affirm our respect for the North's current system," Lee further stated, adding that Seoul had "no intention of engaging in hostile acts [...] I hope that North Korea will reciprocate our efforts to restore trust and revive dialogue."
According to Seoul's National Institute for Unification Education, the August 15 anniversary of liberation from Japan is the only public holiday celebrated by both Korean states.
