North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has personally overseen the test-firing of two newly developed air defence missiles, state media reported on Sunday, August 24, a day after the launches. The move comes amid heightened tensions following a border incident earlier this week.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the test-firing conducted on Saturday, August 23, demonstrated the “superior combat capability” of the two new missile systems. While the report did not provide specific technical details or disclose the launch site, it said the missiles featured “unique and special technology” and were “very suitable for destroying various aerial targets.”
The tests followed a tense exchange at the inter-Korean border. South Korea’s military confirmed it had fired warning shots on August 19 after North Korean soldiers briefly crossed the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ). Pyongyang, however, accused Seoul of staging a “premeditated and deliberate provocation,” with Army Lieutenant General Ko Jong Chol warning the incident could escalate into an “uncontrollable phase.”
The developments come as South Korea’s new President Lee Jae Myung seeks to foster warmer ties and military trust with Pyongyang. But North Korea has dismissed these overtures, declaring it has “no interest” in improving relations with Seoul.
The missile tests underscore Kim Jong Un’s continued emphasis on military modernization despite international calls for restraint.
