North Korea fires new anti-aircraft missile in latest test

SEOUL, Oct. 1 (Reuters) – North Korea fired a new anti-aircraft missile on Thursday, state media KCNA reported on Friday, the latest in its recent round of weapons testing as part of denuclearization at an impasse with the United States.

It was North Korea’s second known weapons test this week after the launch of an unprecedented hypersonic missile on Tuesday. It has also fired ballistic missiles and a cruise missile with potential nuclear capabilities in recent weeks. Read more

Tests have highlighted how North Korea steadily develops increasingly sophisticated weapons, raising the stakes in efforts to get it to abandon its nuclear and missile programs in exchange for easing US sanctions. .

The Academy of Defense Sciences, a developer of military weapons, said the test aimed to confirm the practical functionality of the missile launcher, radar, full combat command vehicle and combat performance, according to the official news agency KCNA.

He added that the missile has key new technologies such as dual rudder control and dual impulse flight engine.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un appears to have missed the test, which was instead overseen by Pak Jong Chon, a member of the powerful political bureau and Central Committee of the ruling Workers’ Party.

“The remarkable combat performance of the new type of anti-aircraft missile with characteristics of rapid reactivity and guiding precision of the missile control system as well as the substantial increase in the distance of downed air targets has been verified,” he said. KCNA said, citing the academy.

Pyongyang has argued in recent weeks that its weapons tests are aimed at boosting its self-defense capabilities as others do, accusing the United States and South Korea of ​​”double standards” and “hostile policies” to respect.

Kim on Wednesday said he had no reason to attack South Korea and was ready to reopen inter-Korean hotlines next month. But he criticized the administration of US President Joe Biden for using “more cunning means and methods” in pursuing a hostile policy while offering dialogue. Read more

Analysts say the northern carrot and stick approach is aimed at securing international recognition as a nuclear-weapon state and driving a wedge between the two allies, keeping in mind the desire of the South Korean President Moon Jae-in of a diplomatic legacy before the end of his term. in May.

The Biden administration has said it has no hostile intentions towards North Korea and called on Pyongyang to accept its offers of talks to break the deadlock on the denuclearization negotiations. Read more

Reporting by Hyonhee Shin; edited by Diane Craft and Sandra Maler

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