Kim Jong-un: Newly tested multiple rocket launcher will 'spread terror'

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) confirmed on July 31 that the country's military had test-fired a new multiple rocket launcher system in the eastern city of Wonsan. The KCNA statement contradicted the South Korean military's assessment that North Korea had fired two short-range ballistic missiles with a range of 250 km.

KCNA said leader Kim Jong-un personally supervised the test launch and was "very satisfied" with the weapon, affirming that it will soon play a "main role" in the North Korean army's ground operations. "The newly developed multiple rocket launcher system will spread terror to the enemy forces targeted by it," Mr. Kim said.

North Korean media did not describe the specific features of the new weapon, but said the test confirmed the system's technical characteristics and "combat effectiveness."

The South Korean military has not commented on the KCNA report. US National Security Adviser John Bolton also said the test did not violate Kim Jong-un's commitment that North Korea would not test-launch intercontinental ballistic missiles. "However, it is worth asking when the real diplomatic process will begin, given that Kim Jong-un said on June 30 that he was ready. We are still waiting to hear from North Korea," Bolton said.

It was North Korea's second weapons test in less than a week and was seen as a move to increase pressure on the US and South Korea amid stalled nuclear talks. Pyongyang also expressed anger over the planned 19-2 Allied military exercises between Washington and Seoul scheduled for mid-August.

A Pentagon official said on July 31 that joint US-South Korea military exercises are still going ahead as planned, despite warnings from North Korea.