North Korea Tests New Missile-Artillery, South Korea-US Coordinate Closely

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a review of an improved missile and artillery test (Source: KCNA)

South Korea said on Monday it was coordinating "closely" with the United States over North Korea's missile launches, amid growing criticism over the delay in announcing Pyongyang's latest launch, according to media reports.

North Korea conducted a test of a new multi-barrel rocket launcher and other major weapons on Thursday last week and was supervised by Leader Kim Jong Un.

However, the South Korean military did not disclose details of the test on the day of the firing, raising questions about whether they withheld the information or failed to detect the launch in time, Seoul-based Yonhap News reported, citing Anadolu (29/6).

Local media said the US decision to limit sharing information with South Korea about North Korean military movements may have hampered Seoul's ability to track them in real-time.

"South Korea and the United States detected and tracked in real time several projectiles launched by North Korea on June 25, maintaining close coordination for all possibilities," said Colonel Lee Kyung-ho, deputy spokesman for the Ministry of Defense.

Lee said the projectile was classified as a "tactical weapon system" and detailed specifications would be finalized after a comprehensive analysis.

He said the dedication of South Korean and US military members should not be undermined through "political interpretations."

It is known that North Korea's latest test involved an upgraded version of a 24-tube 240 mm caliber multiple rocket launcher system, a "special mission" warhead for tactical ballistic missiles, and a long-range projectile for a 155 mm self-propelled howitzer.