• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
North Korea Successfully Tests New Weapon 'To Improve Tactical Nukes'

Home> News

Updated 10:12 18 Apr 2022 GMT+1Published 10:05 18 Apr 2022 GMT+1

North Korea Successfully Tests New Weapon 'To Improve Tactical Nukes'

The occasion marks the first time North Korea has resumed work on its nuclear programme since 2017

Tom Sanders

Tom Sanders

North Korea has reportedly tested a new type of weapons system that it claims will boost the efficiency of its tactical nuclear weapons.

The official Korean Central News Agency also revealed that leader Kim Jong-Un observed what it called the weapon’s successful launch. A photo was released showing a beaming Kim clapping his hands alongside military officers.

The 'new-type tactical guided weapon ... is of great significance in drastically improving the firepower of the frontline long-range artillery units and enhancing the efficiency in the operation of tactical nukes', the official Korean Central News Agency claimed on Sunday morning, although it did not specify when the test took place. The test was reported to have been successful.

Advert

Ground-to-air missile launcher (
Alamy)

KCNA also added that Jong-Un had given 'important instructions on further building up the defence capabilities and nuclear combat forces of the country'.

Experts believe that this is a sign that North Korea will once again resume nuclear testing soon, after previously stepping back from its nuclear programme in 2017.

South Korean intelligence confirmed that two missiles – likely to be short-range – were launched from the North into the sea on Saturday night.

Advert

The US has announced that it is monitoring the situation.

It is thought that the timing of the tests could be seen as a protest against joint US and South Korean military drills, which are due to take place for nine days from Monday.

North Korea has repeatedly condemned such drills as rehearsals for war.

Kim Jong-Un (
Alamy)

Advert

In addition, this week also marked the birthday of North Korea’s founding leader, Kim’s grandfather Kim Il-Sung, which was celebrated in Pyongyang with a huge public procession, fireworks and synchronised dancing – but no military parade as was widely predicted.

Analysts and South Korean and US officials also had thought a nuclear test was possible on the important anniversary, which comes three weeks after North Korea staged its largest intercontinental ballistic missile test ever – the first time Kim’s most powerful weapon had been fired at full range since 2017.

In terms of what North Korea might be looking to accomplish with such tests, Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, told ABC News: “North Korea is trying to deploy not only long-range nuclear missiles aimed at American cities but also tactical nuclear weapons to threaten Seoul and U.S. bases in Asia. 

North Korean military parade (
Alamy)

Advert

“Pyongyang’s purposes likely exceed deterrence and regime survival. Like Russia employs the fear it could use tactical nukes, North Korea may want such weapons for political coercion, battlefield escalation and limiting the willingness of other countries to intervene in a conflict,” he said.

Kim may still hold a military parade on the 25 April founding anniversary of North Korea’s army. But if that anniversary goes without a military parade again, some experts say that might mean Kim doesn’t have new powerful missiles to display and that his next provocative step will likely be a nuclear test.

If you have a story you want to tell, send it to UNILAD via [email protected]

Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Tom Sanders
Tom Sanders

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
  • an hour ago

    Surprising meaning behind people who keep waking up at the same time every night

    It's surprisingly common

    News
  • an hour ago

    People can't believe their eyes after Trump appears to fall asleep during own military parade

    Donald Trump was celebrating his 79th birthday on the same day as the 250th anniversary of the US Army parade

    News
  • an hour ago

    Ex-OceanGate staff member claims CEO dismissed warnings before Titan sub tragedy for shocking reason

    A new Netflix documentary on the 2023 ordeal debuted on the streaming platform on June 11

    News
  • 2 hours ago

    Arnold Schwarzenegger's rarely-seen son Joseph reveals what his superstar dad 'busts his balls' about

    Joseph Baena said his dad is his 'role model'

    Celebrity
  • Smartphone smuggled out of North Korea exposes terrifying tactics used by Kim Jong Un's regime to implement control in the country
  • Doctor urges men to do this one simple exercise to improve their sex lives
  • North Korea shares rare glimpse into secret facility used to produce nuclear materials
  • Man who escaped North Korea shares emotional message for residents he left behind