North Korea Tests New Anti-Air Missiles Amid US-South Korea Drills

SEOUL, South Korea – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised the test-firing of two new types of antiair missiles on Saturday, state media reported Sunday, showcasing the nation’s expanding military capabilities. The tests occurred as South Korean and U.S. militaries conduct joint drills, heightening regional tensions.

According to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the tests successfully demonstrated the missiles’ effectiveness against aerial threats such as drones and cruise missiles. Kim Jong Un reportedly assigned “important” tasks to defense scientists following the successful launch, ahead of a major political conference expected early next year.

The missile tests coincided with a critical diplomatic period for South Korea. President Lee Jae Myung was in Tokyo for a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, where both leaders vowed to strengthen trilateral cooperation with the United States against common challenges, including North Korea’s nuclear ambitions. President Lee is also scheduled to depart for Washington on Sunday for a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump.

These developments underscore Pyongyang’s continued defiance of calls for denuclearization talks, as it prioritizes expanding ties with nations confronting the United States, notably Russia. Concerns persist that Moscow could provide advanced military technology to Pyongyang, particularly for its aging air defense systems, following North Korea’s significant military support to Russia in the Ukraine conflict.

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