KCNA Reports "First Test Launch... Chairman Kim Congratulates the Team"
On December 25, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that North Korea conducted a test launch of a new high-altitude long-range surface-to-air (anti-aircraft) missile over the East Sea on December 24, with Chairman Kim Jong Un observing the event.
According to the report, the Missile Administration carried out the test as "the first test launch for the tactical and technical evaluation of the high-altitude long-range surface-to-air missile system currently under development." The agency stated that "the launched missiles successfully hit and destroyed simulated high-altitude targets at a range of 200 kilometers."
The report further claimed that "this test was part of the routine activities of the Missile Administration and affiliated research institutes for anti-aircraft weapon systems to advance the technological sophistication of the nation's air defense capabilities." It also noted that Chairman Kim congratulated the team on the success of the test launch.
The South Korean military announced that it had detected North Korea's missile test launch. However, the military did not disclose the missile launch on the previous day.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff released a statement on this day, saying, "We had detected signs of North Korea's missile launch in advance and were prepared. Around 5 p.m. yesterday, we detected several projectiles, presumed to be surface-to-air missiles, launched from the area of Seondeok in South Hamgyong Province toward the East Sea." The specific details are currently being closely analyzed by South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff added, "Under the robust combined defense posture of South Korea and the United States, we are closely monitoring various developments in North Korea and maintaining the capability and readiness to respond overwhelmingly to any provocation."
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