Kim Jong-un, chairperson of North Korea's State Affairs Commission, visited a test site for new weapons including multiple rocket launchers and missiles aimed at major facilities in the South on the 25th, the anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War. Through the tests, the North highlighted the range, precision, and destructive power of its strike means against the South, ratcheting up military pressure.
Korean Central News Agency reported on the 26th that the chairperson "observed important weapons tests organized by defense science research institutions in line with plans to modernize artillery and missile forces under the five-year goals for defense development" the previous day.
According to the agency, the tests evaluated the combat performance of the updated 240 mm 24-tube multiple rocket launcher weapons system, the power of the tactical ballistic missile's special mission warhead, and the hit accuracy of extended-range rounds for the 155 mm self-propelled howitzer.
On the updated 24-tube multiple rocket launcher, the report said, "All elements of the fire mission system have been automated, and an autonomous precision guidance system has been introduced," describing it as "an improved corps-level fire system with a range extended to 90 km."
Regarding the tactical ballistic missile's special mission warhead, it said it is "intended for the lethal destruction of key targets including enemy airfields, ports, and power facilities." It added that testing was also conducted for 65 km extended-range shells applied to the 155 mm self-propelled howitzer.
The tests appear to focus on improving the performance of conventional strike means that put all of South Korea or its key military and industrial facilities within range. In particular, by unveiling the related tests on the anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War, the North also seemed intent on maximizing its threatening message toward the South.
The agency also released scenes of the chairperson inspecting weapons systems deployed along the coast with senior military officials. Photos captured, from multiple angles, shells and missiles firing from self-propelled artillery and transporter erector launchers (TEL), sending up massive flames and clouds of dust.
Expressing satisfaction with the results, the chairperson assessed, "The tests of division- and corps-level fire systems conducted today serve as an occasion to prove and gain confidence in the significant technological advances achieved in implementing our party's policy for force building regarding changes to the southern border's fire posture and in realizing the three principles of automation, long range, and ultra-precision."
The chairperson added, "Today's international situation makes any rhetorical explanation unnecessary as to why the project of boosting national defense capabilities becomes the nation's top strategic undertaking," arguing for the need to strengthen military power.
The chairperson set strengthening the army's artillery and missile forces as a priority task and again stressed the assignments to be achieved during the five-year plan for defense development.
The chairperson said, "Our party's self-defensive defense policy is not about simply enhancing defensive functions based on defensive means, but a policy to raise a lethal and destructive offensive posture so that there is no rival capable of confronting us," adding, "This is the defensive concept we speak of in the practice of army building and military actions."
The chairperson also said, "Keeping the enemies in constant anxiety and fear itself is an important aspect in exercising war deterrence," and added, "We will make the enemies realize, in the shortest time possible, that our force's long-range strike means have been entirely reequipped with updated models."
The chairperson also recalled that strategic tasks, including the renewal of military power, were presented at the 2nd plenary meeting of the 9th Central Committee. The chairperson emphasized, "Building the most powerful artillery force is our party's unwavering will and strategic policy."