(Bloomberg) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the test of a new “advanced tactical” weapon — the first such demonstration in almost a year –…
(Bloomberg) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the test of a new “advanced tactical” weapon — the first such demonstration in almost a year — in a pointed signal to the U. S. and South Korea amid stalled nuclear negotiations.
Kim inspected the “successful” test during a visit to North Korea’s Academy of Defense Science, the state-run Korean Central News Agency said Friday morning local time. KCNA didn’t provide any details on the type of weapon, whether it was related to Kim’s nuclear program, or when the test occurred.
“The testing of the high-tech tactical weapon has been carried out successfully, meeting all superior and powerful designing indicators,” KCNA said. “It is a great way to defend the territory of the country with iron barriers and strengthen the combat power of the people’s army.”
The lack of details made it hard to assess whether the test would impact ongoing nuclear talks. References to the weapon as “tactical” — as opposed to “strategic” — would seem to exclude a ballistic missile launch.
One U. S. official said the initial report doesn’t seem overly provocative, noting the lack of keywords connecting the test to North Korea’s nuclear program. The response from South Korea was also muted, with Unification Ministry spokeswoman Lee Eugene noting that the regime had previously publicized seven military activities involving Kim this year. South Korea’s defense ministry said only that officials were reviewing the report.
The weapon test comes after U. S. and South Korean marines resumed small-scale exercises that North Korean state media said Friday violated a new military pact between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Kim.
