Seoul: North Korea tested nuclear-capable rocket launchers, state media reported on Sunday, a day after Seoul detected the launch of around 10 ballistic missiles.
The test comes after South Korean and US forces kicked off their springtime military drills, due to run until March 19.
North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the testing on Saturday of the multiple rocket launcher system (MRLS), the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.
It said the test involved 12 600mm-calibre ultra-precision multiple rocket launchers and two artillery companies.
Kim said the drill gave Pyongyang’s enemies, within the 420 kilometres (around 260 miles) striking range, a sense of “uneasiness” and “a deep understanding of the destructive power of tactical nuclear weapon”, KCNA reported.
The rockets battered an island target in the East Sea of Korea more than 360 km away, KCNA said on Sunday.
Kim praised the MRLS as a very deadly yet attractive weapon”.
Photos released by state media showed several rockets blasting off large vehicles into the air. Another picture shows Kim and his daughter Ju Ae watching the launch from afar, flanked by a military official.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it had detected multiple launches on Saturday from the North into the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan.
