North Korea’s new intermediate-range ballistic missile was successfully tested on Sunday and should now be “rapidly” mass-produced, Kim Jong-un, the country’s supreme leader has said, according to state media.
The latest test confirmed the reliable late-stage guidance of the Pukguksong-2 missile’s warhead and the functioning of its solid-fuel engine, the KCNA state news agency said.
Kim Jong-un supervised the launch and expressed “ great satisfaction ” over its results.
“ Now that its tactical and technical data met the requirements of the Party, this type of missile should be rapidly mass-produced in a serial way to arm the KPA (Korean People’s Army) Strategic Force, ” Kim said, according to KCNA.
The North Korean leader also described Pukguksong-2 as a “ successful strategic weapon ”, with a “ very accurate ” hit rate.
Kim was reportedly impressed by the images from a camera mounted on the missile during the test, saying that “ it feels grand to look at the Earth from the rocket we launched and the entire world looks so beautiful .”
Sunday’s launch by North Korea was confirmed by the US and Japan. South Korea’s military said the missile flew 500 km, reaching an altitude of 560 km, before landing off Japan’s east coast and causing no damage.
