Kim Jong Un delighted with new missile launcher unveiling
In North Korea's version of events, their military is on the brink of a significant shift. Their unofficial leader, Kim, has unveiled a newly developed missile launcher, which he claims is being produced at the highest level possible. It's possible that this launcher may not only benefit North Korea's own military, but also Russia's.
As reported by KCNA, the state news agency, Kim intends to outfit North Korea's military with a brand-new multiple rocket launcher by the end of this year. He recently inspected a test of the "improved" missile system and was satisfied with the results. There's a promise of a major transformation when it comes to enhancing the army's artillery capabilities. South Korea's Department of Defense initially couldn't confirm the tests.
Kim has expressed a desire to bring the production of the new rocket launcher system and shells to its maximum capacity. According to KCNA, North Korea will hand these launchers to their military units by 2026 and phase out the outdated technology. Images released show Kim speaking to military personnel while examining the launcher and seemingly overseeing a missile test.
During the test, North Korea stated that eight targets were struck "precisely" to showcase the "strength and devastation potential" of the updated 240-millimeter missile launcher system. The effectiveness of the "steerable projectiles" was also demonstrated. At the end of April, North Korea already stressed the importance of this new multiple rocket launcher for a "strategic change." As reported by state media, Kim had previously led an exercise focused on a nuclear counter-attack.
The tests occurred just a few weeks after the discontinuation of international monitoring of North Korea's sanctions. In March, Russia blocked the extension of the mandate for the UN panel responsible for monitoring these sanctions in the UN Security Council. The panel was tasked with reviewing reports that North Korea was supplying Russia with weapons on a large scale to fight in the Ukraine conflict.
Experts speculate that the renewed tests and increased production of artillery and missile systems could be part of a broader plan by North Korea to export weapons and collaborate in the defense sector. Professor Yang Moo Jin, President of the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, believes that Pyongyang is "signaling its readiness to export weapons and engage in other economic activities in the defense industry through ongoing technical developments." Furthermore, North Korea is "tacitly testing the efficacy of its existing weapons" by supplying them to Russia during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Since the start of the war in Ukraine, relations between Russia and North Korea have grown closer. On the other hand, relationships with South Korea are strained. In a statement in January, Kim named South Korea as his "main enemy." He announced then that he would accelerate weapons development, including the creation of tactical nuclear weapons.
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North Korea's unofficial leader, Kim Jong Un, showed interest in potentially sharing this newly developed missile launcher with Russia, as suggested by the potential benefits mentioned in the text. During a visit to a test site, Kim expressed his aim to increase the production of the new rocket launcher system and shells, with plans to equip North Korea's military units by 2026.
In light of the international monitoring of North Korea's sanctions coming to an end in March, experts speculate that North Korea may seek to collaborate in the defense sector and potentially export weapons, a strategy that could strengthen its relationship with Russia, which has grown closer since the start of the conflict in Ukraine.
Source: www.ntv.de
