North Korea on April 9 just announced a series of new weapons, including cluster bomb warheads and electromagnetic warfare systems, to demonstrate its modern warfare capabilities.
According to KCNA news agency, the tests conducted by the Institute of Defense Sciences and the North Korean missile management agency, including cluster bomb warheads mounted on tactical ballistic missiles, carbon fiber bombs and mobile short-range air defense systems.
One test showed that the Hwasongpho-11 Ka surface-to-surface missile can carry cluster bomb warheads, capable of "burning down any target" within a range of up to 7ha. The tests also assessed the combat capability of tactical ballistic missile warheads, although the number of missiles launched was not specified.
General Kim Jong Sik, who supervised the tests, described electromagnetic weapons and carbon fiber bombs as "special assets" of the military. The electromagnetic warfare system is believed to be capable of neutralizing enemy electronic circuits, while carbon fiber bombs can paralyze infrastructure such as power plants by emitting conductors.
The South Korean military confirmed that North Korea has launched many missiles in recent days. Experts believe this move is a show of force to send signals to both opponents and allies.
Some opinions suggest that Pyongyang is aiming to develop low-cost but mass-producible weapon systems, combined with electronic warfare capabilities to attack industrial infrastructure and power grids.
Analysts also believe that new weapons could further complicate South Korea's defense strategy, and reflect North Korea's drawing experience from recent conflicts to build an asymmetric war model.
The move to announce weapons takes place in the context that North Korea continues to consider South Korea a "hostile opponent", thereby extinguishing hopes of improving relations on the peninsula.
