Grapevine

North Korea says it tested new ballistic missile with ‘super-large’ warhead

Kim Jong Un attends launches, stressing the need for North Korea to improve its conventional and nuclear capabilities.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has overseen the successful tests of two types of tactical ballistic missiles, including one with a “super-large conventional warhead” and an “improved” cruise missile, according to North Korean state media.

The tests were a response to the “grave threat” posed by outside forces to North Korea’s security, state-run KCNA reported Kim as saying on Thursday.

The tests involved Hwasongpho-11-Da-4.5 missiles, mounted with a 4.5-tonne super-large conventional warhead, KCNA said. North Korea previously announced tests for that weapon in July.

Kim stressed “the need to continue to bolster up the nuclear force and have the strongest military technical capability and overwhelming offensive capability in the field of conventional weapons too”.