Kim Jong-un Leads Short-Range Ballistic Missile Salvo Off East Coast

JAKARTA - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un guided a firing drill of a "super-large" 600 mm multiple rocket launcher, state media KCNA reported Friday.

North Korea fired at least 10 short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) off its east coast, South Korea's military reported on Thursday, calling it a possible show for potential buyers, including Russia.

The artillery hit an island target about 365 km (227 miles) away as leader Kim supervised a demonstration at the launch site, KCNA reported, citing Reuters May 31.

Photos published by state media showed 18 missiles, identified by experts as KN-25s, blasting into the air from mobile launchers.

The missiles were apparently fired from the Sunan area near Pyongyang at 6:14 a.m. local time and flew about 350 km (217 miles) before falling into the sea, South Korea's military said in a statement.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Thursday that North Korea had launched a ballistic missile that appeared to have landed outside Japan's exclusive economic zone.

North Korea has conducted several similar salvo launches of KN-25 missiles this year, including one test that fired at least six missiles.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said on Thursday that all the missiles fired appeared to be the same type, and that they were likely to be exported to Russia.

First tested in 2019, the "super-large" rocket blurs the distinction between a multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) and a SRBM, according to the Center for International and Strategic Studies.

North Korea said tactical nuclear weapons could be mounted on the missile.

Leader Kim also urged the readiness of the North's nuclear forces to carry out war deterrence missions and take the initiative in the event of war, the report added.

The “rain of fire for annihilation” during the drills showed North Korea’s will to defend its sovereignty and react to enemies, the report said.

The drills included the use of a recently unveiled fire control system that is part of the government’s joint nuclear weapons management system, KCNA said.

Thursday’s ballistic missile launch was condemned by the U.S. State Department as a reckless act, violating several U.N. Security Council resolutions.