North Korea Believed to Have Tested a System Similar to the U.S. Army’s ATACMS

Here is the latest information on the new weapon system that North Korea is believed to have tested:

North Korea said Saturday that it has tested a “new weapon” under the guidance of its leader, Kim Jong-un, in the launch of two projectiles the previous day.

Kim “guided the test-fire of (a) new weapon again on Friday morning,” the Korean Central News Agency said. “The national defense scientists showed a perfect result in the test-fire, too, and helped cement bigger confidence in this weapon system.”

“It is our party’s goal of defense building to possess invincible military capabilities no one dare provoke and to keep bolstering them,” Kim was quoted as saying. “Everyone should remember that it is the party’s core plan and fixed will for defense building to possess such a powerful force strong enough to discourage any forces from daring to provoke us.”

The KCNA did not provide other details on the weapon, including its name.

The report came a day after South Korea’s military said that the North fired two projectiles presumed to be short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast. It said that they flew around 230 kilometers at a maximum altitude of 30 km.

Military experts say that the projectiles bear outward similarities to the U.S.’ Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), a surface-to-surface missile system.

Photos released by the North’s media showed missiles that were launched from a transporter erector launcher (TEL) hitting a faraway target on a small rocky islet in the East Sea.

Friday’s firing came six days after North Korea flew two projectiles believed to be short-range ballistic missiles, though the North said later it tested a “new weapon.” It also was the sixth such launch since late July.

North Korea’s version of ATACMS is assessed as one of its three newly-developed weapons, including a large-caliber multiple launch guided rocket system and short-range missiles known as KN-23s, its version of the Russian Iskander.

Yonhap

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