North Korea has tested what it is purporting to be a new and “cutting-edge” anti-ship missile, and South Korean Defense ministry confirmed that five short-range missiles were fired into the East Sea over thee weekend.
Pyongyang sent out pictures of the launch with a smiling Kim Jong-un in the background, CNN reported.
North Korea’s state-run media reported that its “intelligent rocket precisely sought, tracked and hit the ’enemy’ ship after taking a safe flight,” CNN said. The state-run media also said the aim of the new missiles are for North Korea to defend its waters and to “strongly react to any attempt of the enemy’s fleets of warships for military attack, through close combat or distant combat.”
South Korea reported the five short-range missiles that were fired have ranges of 124 miles each.
The test firing comes just as the United States and South Korea are due to conduct annual joint exercises.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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