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north korea the leader said on monday Kim Jong Un Jung Woo The test flight of a hypersonic missile was observed and the need to strengthen the country’s nuclear war deterrent was highlighted as the country carried out a weapons display ahead of a major political meeting.
North Korea reported the drills, a day after its neighbors said they detected multiple ballistic missile launches and accused it of provocation. The test was conducted just hours before South Korea’s president Li Zaiming Set off for China to hold a summit with President Xi Jinping.
official korea central news agency Sunday’s exercise involved hypersonic weapons systems and was aimed at checking their combat readiness, enhancing the missile force’s fire combat skills and assessing the operational capabilities of the country’s war deterrent force.
According to KCNA, Kim Jong-un said: “Through today’s launch exercise, we can confirm that a very important national defense technical task has been completed.” “We must continuously upgrade our military means, especially offensive weapon systems.”
Possessing effective hypersonic weapons would give North Korea the ability to penetrate U.S. and South Korean missile defense systems. North Korea has conducted a series of tests to obtain missiles over the past few years, but many foreign experts have questioned whether the tested missiles achieved the expected speed and maneuverability during flight.
In recent weeks, North Korea has tested so-called long-range strategic cruise missiles and new anti-aircraft missiles and released photos showing clear progress in building its first nuclear-powered submarine.
Observers say North Korea plans to showcase or review its achievements in weapons development ahead of a congress of the ruling Workers’ Party, the first such congress in five years. The focus is on whether Kim Jong Un will use the congress to chart a new course on relations with the United States and resume long-stalled talks.
North Korea’s nuclear program is expected to be discussed later Monday when Lee Myung-bak and Xi Jinping hold a summit. Lee Myung-bak’s office said earlier that he would call on China, North Korea’s main ally and economic conduit, to play a “constructive role” in efforts to promote peace on the Korean peninsula.
The latest launch follows a bold U.S. military operation on Saturday that ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power and brought him to the United States to face narco-terrorism conspiracy charges. North Korea slammed the operation, saying it once again showed the “rogue and brutal nature of the United States”
Many experts say the U.S. action could allow Kim to further expand his nuclear weapons capabilities, which he believes could guarantee the survival of his government and national sovereignty in the face of U.S.-led hostilities.
During Sunday’s launch drill, Kim Jong Un defended his efforts to promote a more powerful nuclear program. “Recent geopolitical crises and complex international events illustrate why this is necessary,” he said.