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[Anchor] North Korea said yesterday (the 26th) it tested not only short-range ballistic missiles but also cruise missiles and multiple rocket launchers. All of the systems are intended for deployment near the DMZ, a move that raises the level of military threat to the South. Reporter Park Su-ju has our report. [Reporter] On the 26th, North Korea carried out an unusual combined launch of missiles and artillery. State media said the tests evaluated a newly developed lightweight, multi-purpose missile-launch platform and a tactical, multi-launch cruise missile system. Both systems first appeared at last October’s Workers’ Party 80th anniversary parade, but this was the first public display of live firings. From the lightweight multipurpose launcher, Pyongyang fired 240 mm rockets and a short-range ballistic missile believed to be a Hwasong-11 variant — effectively what North Korea describes as its own version of the Cheonmu multiple-rocket launcher. For the new tactical cruise missile, officials claimed a range of about 100 km and said it will be deployed along the “southern border.” They also asserted the weapon uses autonomous navigation and AI-based guidance to achieve highly precise strikes. All of the systems are intended for forward deployment near the DMZ and would threaten the Seoul metropolitan area. Watching the tests, Chairman Kim Jong Un said the current situation requires continuous military renewal, and he stressed that building the most modern and powerful artillery forces is the top policy priority. Earlier this month, North Korea said it plans to deploy a new self-propelled gun — assessed by outside observers as a North Korean take on the K9 — to the “southern border” before year’s end. As Pyongyang accelerates the modernization and upgrading of its conventional forces, analysts say Seoul’s military needs to stay alert. Shin Jong-woo, secretary-general of the Korea Defense and Security Forum, warned, “If front-line corps’ artillery units begin integrating cruise missiles as well, air defenses will naturally be overloaded. We need to develop countermeasures to North Korea’s new weapon systems quickly.” Kim also vowed to take “even clearer action,” raising the prospect of further provocations. This is Park Su-ju for Yonhap News TV. For Yonhap News TV story inquiries and tips: KakaoTalk/Line jebo23; Park Su-ju (sooju@yna.co.kr)
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