North Korean troops received a new tactical ballistic missile system, as reported by the country’s state media, KCNA. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the delivery of this advanced missile system at a ceremonial event in Pyongyang, according to Yonhap news agency, citing KCNA.
The event unveiled 250 new tactical ballistic missile launchers, described by the Korean Central News Agency as “pivot military hardware.” Photos released by KCNA suggest the weapon system is the “Hwasong-11” launcher, expected to be deployed near the military demarcation line with South Korea.
During his speech to the military troops, Kim Jong Un stated that the US-led alliance has evolved into a nuclear-powered military bloc, necessitating enhanced nuclear readiness from Pyongyang. He emphasized that North Korea will strengthen its nuclear capabilities to deter nuclear threats and protect itself against any challenges.
This ceremony comes as North Korea faces recent flood challenges. In July, North Korea announced it had test-fired its new tactical missile following the “Freedom Edge” military drills conducted by the United States, South Korea, and Japan.
In June, the United States, Japan, and South Korea issued a joint statement strongly opposing any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the Indo-Pacific region. They also condemned North Korea’s ballistic missile launches. This statement was released after a meeting in Virginia involving US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, Japan’s Vice Foreign Minister Masataka Okano, and South Korea’s Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong Kyun.
Additionally, at the Quad meeting in July, representatives from Australia, India, the United States, and Japan issued a joint statement condemning North Korea’s actions in violation of UN Security Council resolutions.
The statement read, “We condemn North Korea’s destabilizing launches using ballistic missile technology and its continued pursuit of nuclear weapons in violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs). We express our grave concern over North Korea’s use of proliferation linkages, malicious cyber activity, and the use of workers abroad to fund its unlawful weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs.”
In a related development, on June 19, during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Pyongyang, Russia and North Korea signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty. This treaty stipulates immediate military assistance in the event of an attack on either party, highlighting the growing military and strategic cooperation between the two nations.
These developments underscore the heightened military tensions and the complex geopolitical dynamics in the region. North Korea’s continued missile advancements and its alliances with countries like Russia pose significant challenges to regional stability and international security.
