North Korea confirms a barrage of missile tests as Kim Jong Un visits a weapons factory | North Korea

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North Korea has tested more long-range cruise missiles and short-range ballistic missiles, state media said, as part of a record series of launches this year.

Pyongyang has conducted six weapons tests since the start of the year, including hypersonic missiles, one of the deadliest attacks in a calendar month on record, while ignoring US offers for talks.

The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Friday that it “conducted a test-fire to modernize the long-range cruise missile system and a test-fire to confirm the power of the conventional warhead of the surface-to-surface-guided missile.”

The KCNA said Tuesday’s test involved long-range cruise missiles flying over the East Sea – also known as the Sea of ​​Japan – and reaching “the target island 1,800 km away”.

Thursday’s launch then saw short-range ballistic missiles land on a “target island,” the agency added, “proving that the explosive power of a conventional warhead is in line with design requirements.”

The wave of sanctions-busting tests this month came after the country’s dictator, Kim Jong Un, re-declared his commitment to military modernization in a speech to the party in December.

Washington imposed new sanctions in response, prompting Pyongyang to double down on weapons tests and hinting last week that it might drop a long-term moratorium on long-range nuclear tests.

The agency said Kim also visited an munitions factory that produces a “major weapons system”.

In a photo released by the news agency, Kim is seen beaming, wearing his usual long leather coat with a black belt, surrounded by uniformed officials.

The Korean Central News Agency said Kim “highly appreciates the factory that brings about collective innovation and leaps forward in the production of major weapons.”

The series of tests comes at a sensitive time in the region, as China, Kim’s only major ally, prepares to host the Winter Olympics next month, while South Korea prepares for a presidential election in March.

Domestically, North Korea is preparing to celebrate the 80th birthday of late leader Kim Jong Il in February, as well as the 110th birthday of founder Kim Il Sung in April.

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