North Korea says tested ‘super-large’ rocket launchers


PTI, Mar 30, 2020, 9:25 AM IST

Seoul: Nuclear-armed North Korea successfully tested “super-large multiple rocket launchers”, state media said on Monday, March 30 but leader Kim Jong Un was not described as commanding the drill as analysts say Pyongyang seeks to normalize its launches.

With the world focused on the coronavirus pandemic and North Korea insisting it has not had a single COVID-19 case, the isolated state has carried out four such firings this month.

Unusually, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) did not say in its report that Kim had directed Sunday’s test.

The leader is almost always shown overseeing the North’s launches but on this occasion KCNA said it was led by ruling party vice chairman Ri Pyong Chol and conducted by the Academy of National Defence Science.

South Korea had said that two projectiles presumed to be ballistic missiles were fired on Sunday from the North Korean port city of Wonsan into the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea.

Images carried by the North’s official Rodong Sinmun newspaper showed rockets blasting out of a launcher with six firing tubes, striking what appeared to be an island target. Kim was not seen in the photos.

“By Kim’s absence, North Korea is trying to reduce the significance of the launch and stressing that the missile test is just a part of normal drills,” said Go Myong-hyun, an analyst at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies.

The last time Kim was not seen at such an event was when the North test-fired a new submarine-launched ballistic missile in October, just days before officials from Pyongyang and Washington were due to meet in Stockholm to rekindle stalled diplomacy.

However some analysts believe he was actually present, as some items he habitually uses were visible.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

‘Nation First’ key to India’s progress, says President Murmu

Karnataka BJP chief Vijayendra slams Cong govt over Waqf notices to farmers, fund crunch

Man declared dead wakes up before cremation, 3 doctors suspended in Rajasthan

Teen stabs man to death at railway station in Mumbai after quarrel over local train seat

BJP stages protest against Karnataka govt over Waqf properties row

Youth attempts suicide after being humiliated in public for wearing ripped jeans in Belthangady

India crawl to 51 for 4 after losing top-order

Related Articles More

Baku climate talks: The ‘X’ factor that could determine future of Global South

India-US ties have strong foundation: White House confident in navigating crisis over Adani bribery charges

PM Modi leaves for home after concluding three-nation visit

China announces new policy measures to protect its exports from Trump’s new tariff threat

Pak government prepares for proposed protest by former PM Imran Khan’s party on Nov 24

MUST WATCH

Christmas Cake Fruit Mixing

DK Shivakumar

Rose Cultivation

Geethotsava

Naxal Operation


Latest Additions

Centre releases 15th Finance Commission grant for rural local bodies in Karnataka

Kharge confident of Cong and allies coming to power in Maharashtra, Jharkhand

‘Nation First’ key to India’s progress, says President Murmu

Karnataka BJP chief Vijayendra slams Cong govt over Waqf notices to farmers, fund crunch

Priyanka joining forces with Rahul in Parliament will give ‘sleepless nights’ to BJP: Pilot

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.