North Korea announced on Friday that it successfully tested a new surface-to-air missile system the day before. U.S. military officials confirmed they detected multiple surface-to-air missile launches from North Korea into the Yellow Sea on Thursday. However, no public statement was issued, as these missiles did not violate UN sanctions, according to the military.
North Korean state media reported on Friday that the country’s Missile Industry Department conducted a test launch on Thursday to assess the overall combat performance of its latest surface-to-air missile system. The system is reportedly now in full-scale production at a military-industrial facility.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observed the test alongside senior officials from the ruling party’s Central Military Commission. However, the report did not disclose the exact location of the launch or the specific name of the weapon system tested.
State media released images showing the missile hitting a target at sea and exploding in mid-air. Photos also showed Kim monitoring the test results on a screen and expressing satisfaction.
The report claimed the test launch highlighted the new system’s superior combat responsiveness and high overall reliability.
Kim reportedly praised the research team behind the surface-to-air missile system and the military-industrial facility involved, noting that the new system would provide North Korea’s military with “another important defense weapon system with commendable combat performance.”
Meanwhile, South Korean military authorities confirmed they had detected several surface-to-air missile launches by North Korea into the Yellow Sea, targeting aerial objects, on the day before the official end of the South Korea-U.S. joint exercise, Freedom Shield. However, no public announcement was made since these missiles were not ballistic and did not breach UN sanctions.
A South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) official commented, “We anticipated the possibility of North Korean missile launches and were prepared in advance. We detected the launches in real time and responded accordingly. We are currently analyzing the detailed specifications of the missiles.”