On April 19, KCNA news agency reported that leader Kim Jong Un directly supervised the test launch of the upgraded Hwasongpho-11 Ra tactical ballistic missile.
According to KCNA, the test was conducted by the North Korean Missile Management Agency to assess the destructive power of the new warhead for the Hwasongpho-11 Ra surface-to-surface missile line.
North Korea said the launch was carried out to test the operational capabilities of cluster warheads and fragmentation warheads mounted on tactical ballistic missiles.
According to KCNA descriptions, 5 missiles were launched towards a target located around an island about 136km from the launch site.
The missiles are believed to have hit a target area of about 12.5-13ha with high density, thereby showing the ability to concentrate widespread attacks.
KCNA said Kim Jong-un expressed "great satisfaction" with the test results.
According to the North Korean leader, the development of many different types of cluster warheads will help the country's army better meet combat requirements and improve the ability to accurately attack specific targets.
Mr. Kim also said that strengthening high-density wide-area offensive capabilities is important in military operations.
KCNA said that many senior North Korean military officials also participated in the test, including Mr. Kim Jong Sik, member of the Party Central Military Commission, Mr. Jang Chang Ha and Lieutenant General An Yong Hwan.
According to KCNA, Mr. Kim Jong-un also highly appreciated the research results that North Korea has achieved in the field of missile warheads after 5 years of development.
The latest test took place in the context of North Korea continuing to accelerate the modernization of its tactical missile arsenal and expand precision strike capabilities, despite international sanctions.
