North Korea Conducts Test of ‘Super-Large Warhead’

North Korea has reportedly conducted a successful test of a “super-large warhead” for a cruise missile and a new type of anti-aircraft munition, as stated by the state-run KCNA news agency.

The test involved the warhead for the Hwasal-1Ra-3 strategic cruise missile and the launch of the Pyoltsi-1-2 anti-aircraft missile in the Yellow Sea on Friday, according to the agency’s report on Saturday, noting that the tests achieved their intended purposes.

KCNA emphasized that these tests are part of routine activities conducted by national defense research institutions and are unrelated to the current situation on the Korean Peninsula.

South Korea’s Yonhap news agency highlighted that this was the first time North Korea mentioned the ‘Pyoltsi’ system, translating to’meteor’ in Korean, while South Korea’s military detected multiple missile launches towards the Yellow Sea on Friday.

A detailed analysis of the specifications of these weapons is currently underway, with Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff closely monitoring North Korea’s military activities and maintaining a strong defense posture.
North Korea has been increasing its weapons testing activities since Kim Jong-un declared the end of seeking reconciliation with South Korea at the beginning of the year, with Friday marking the sixth cruise missile launch in 2024, according to Yonhap.

In response to North Korea’s actions, Japan, Washington, Seoul, and Tokyo have agreed to conduct joint exercises, share real-time data on missile launches, and establish a crisis communication hotline to contain Pyongyang’s activities.