North Korea Says It Tested Ballistic Missiles With Cluster Bomb Warheads

email: online@newsofbahrain.com 

Seoul: North Korea said on Monday it had test-launched ballistic missiles equipped with cluster bomb warheads, marking the second such weapons test this month and signaling continued efforts to strengthen its strike capabilities against regional missile defenses.

According to state media Korean Central News Agency, leader Kim Jong Un supervised the launch of five upgraded Hwasong-11 Ra ballistic missile missiles from a coastal observation point.

The report appeared to refer to the multiple missile launches detected Sunday by South Korea, Japan, and the United States off North Korea’s east coast.

KCNA said the missiles carried cluster bomb and fragmentation mine warheads and successfully struck an island target. Kim reportedly praised the launches, saying stronger “high-density striking capability” was militarily significant.

Earlier this month, North Korea said it had tested Hwasong-11 Ka ballistic missile missiles fitted with cluster bomb warheads capable of striking large target areas.

Cluster munitions release multiple smaller bomblets over a wide zone and are banned under an international treaty signed by more than 120 countries. However, North Korea, Iran, Israel and the United States are not parties to the agreement.

Analysts say North Korea may be using the tests to demonstrate advanced strike options and improve leverage ahead of possible future diplomacy with Washington.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly said he wants renewed talks with Pyongyang, though North Korea has insisted that any negotiations must not require prior nuclear disarmament.