KCNA news agency reported on May 9 that the test aims to assess the combat readiness of nuclear forces as well as test the reliability of the nuclear activation system, also known as the "nuclear brokerage" of North Korea.
KCNA said that 600 mm rocket artillery systems and Hwasong-11 tactical ballistic missiles have been mobilized for this test.
The Hwasong-11 missile, also known by its international name KN-23, is one of the short-range ballistic missiles developed by North Korea.
The test also includes a step to test the nuclear activation system, which North Korea calls a "nuclear brokerage". The goal is clearly stated to ensure the ability to react quickly in the context of an increasingly sensitive and complex regional military environment.
Kim Jong-un's leaders stressed the importance of maintaining the normal combat readiness of nuclear forces, with the goal of both deterring conflict and being ready for confrontation if necessary. He also called for further improvements in the ability to attack accurately at long range and improve the performance of existing weapons systems.
The armed forces of South Korea and Japan both confirmed that North Korea launched many ballistic missiles from the east coast on the same day. According to initial analysis, this is likely to be a performance test for short-range missiles that have been deployed, possibly even related to improvements to serve export purposes.
A South Korean military official and an independent analyst both said that the missile launches on May 8 were a move to check and upgrade Pyongyang's short-range missile arsenal.
