North Korea’s Artillery Power Boost: Successful Launch of New Rocket and Continued Hostility towards South Korea

North Korea has recently announced the successful launch of a multiple rocket launcher under the supervision of Kim Jong Un. According to KCNA, the test evaluated the flight characteristics, impact, and concentration indices of the 240 mm shell of the launcher, which were deemed satisfactory. The rocket launcher is equipped with new technology and is expected to bring a strategic change in strengthening North Korea’s artillery power.

The launch was a response to US-South Korean exercises earlier this year. Since then, North Korea has continued its missile launches, including testing a new medium-to-long-range solid-fueled hypersonic missile and a very large warhead designed for a strategic cruise missile. Despite ongoing UN sanctions that prohibit the development of ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons, Pyongyang remains committed to its military programs and declares its status as a nuclear power “irreversible.”

North Korea has also intensified its hostility towards South Korea, designating them as a main enemy. In March, Russia vetoed a draft resolution in the Security Council extending the mandate of a committee monitoring the sanctions against North Korea. Despite this setback, North Korea has continued to strengthen its ties with Russia, exchanging weapons for military technologies. The country continues to defy international sanctions while bolstering its military capabilities and alliances.