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

North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) confirmed on July 31 that the country's military had just 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 launched 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 it targets," Mr. Kim said.

North Korean media did not specifically describe the new weapon's features, 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-fire intercontinental ballistic missiles. "However, it is necessary to ask when the real diplomatic process will begin, when Kim Jong-un said on June 30 that he was ready. We are still waiting for news from North Korea," Bolton said.

This is the second weapons test by North Korea in less than a week and is seen as a move to increase pressure on the US and South Korea amid deadlocked nuclear negotiations. Pyongyang also expressed anger at 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 North Korea's warnings.

vnexpress.net