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North Korea test‑fires ballistic missile with cluster warhead as Kim Jong Un and daughter observe(Seoul=Yonhap) The North Korean Missile General Bureau conducted a test launch on April 19 to evaluate the effectiveness of an upgraded ground‑to‑ground tactical ballistic missile warhead of the “Hwasongpho‑11Ra” type, with Chairman Kim Jong Un and his daughter Ju‑ae in attendance, Choson Central TV reported April 20. [Choson Central TV footage] 2026.4.20 For use only in the Republic of Korea. No redistribution. nkphoto@yna.co,kr(Seoul=Yonhap) The North Korean Missile General Bureau conducted a test launch on April 19 to evaluate the effectiveness of an upgraded ground‑to‑ground tactical ballistic missile warhead of the “Hwasongpho‑11Ra” type, with Chairman Kim Jong Un and his daughter Ju‑ae in attendance, Choson Central TV reported April 20. [Choson Central TV footage] 2026.4.20 For use only in the Republic of Korea. No redistribution. nkphoto@yna.co,kr
North Korea announced it test‑fired a new lightweight, multi‑purpose missile launcher and a multiple‑launch tactical cruise‑missile system, state media reported. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said on April 27 that, with Kim Jong Un observing, researchers at the country’s defense science institute carried out a series of key weapons tests the previous day.KCNA said the tests evaluated several systems: the warhead performance of a tactical ballistic missile’s “special mission” (special‑purpose) warhead; the reliability of an ultra‑precision autonomous guidance and navigation system for an extended‑range 240 mm guided rocket; and the terminal, AI‑assisted accuracy of a tactical cruise missile.Kim, KCNA reported, expressed strong satisfaction, calling the results evidence that advanced, technically demanding defense science had been applied in practical weapon tests. The agency added that the tactical cruise missile is slated for deployment with long‑range artillery brigades near the southern border and that Kim had given a favorable assessment of the weapon’s military value.KCNA described the tactical cruise munition as combining ultra‑precise autonomous navigation with terrain‑matching guidance, incorporating AI terminal guidance, and employing a hybrid glide‑and‑propulsion flight profile to strike targets with very high accuracy at a stated range of 100 km (about 62 miles).If that claim holds and a 100‑km cruise‑missile system is emplaced near the southern border—close to the Military Demarcation Line—it would put most of the Seoul metropolitan area, including central Seoul, within range.Kim characterized the tests as a clear sign of the renewal of the country’s military strength and a major technological advance in force modernization. He said fire‑control systems and automation across all launch vehicles had been fully upgraded to meet modern warfare requirements, enhancing their combat applicability.Earlier, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff reported detecting multiple projectiles launched into the Yellow Sea from the Jeongju area of North Pyongan Province on April 26. The Joint Chiefs said the short‑range ballistic missile flew about 80 km (roughly 50 miles) and that rocket artillery—one form of multiple‑rocket launcher—was fired in conjunction with the missile.#NorthKorea Yonhap TV inquiries and tips: KakaoTalk/Line jebo23 Moon Hyung‑min (moonbro@yna.co.kr)
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