North Korea test fires two ‘new’ air defense missiles, state media says

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has overseen the test-firing of two “new” air defence missiles, state media says, after Pyongyang accused Seoul of fomenting tensions at the border.

The test-firing, which took place yesterday, showed that the two “improved” missile weapon systems had “superior combat capability,” the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reports.

The KCNA report does not explain the new missiles in any detail, only that their “operation and reaction mode is based on unique and special technology.” It also does not say where the test had been carried out.

“The firing particularly proved that the technological features of two types of projectiles are very suitable for destroying various aerial targets,” KCNA says.

On the same day, Kim also communicated an “important task” for the defense science sector to carry out before a key party meeting, the report says.

South Korea’s military said yesterday it had fired warning shots at several North Korean soldiers who briefly crossed the heavily militarized border separating the two countries on Tuesday.

UN Command put the number of North Korean troops that crossed the border at 30, Yonhap news agency reported Sunday.

Pyongyang’s state media quotes Army Lieutenant General Ko Jong Chol as saying the incident was a “premeditated and deliberate provocation.”

“This is a very serious prelude that would inevitably drive the situation in the southern border area where a huge number of forces are [stationed] in confrontation with each other to the uncontrollable phase,” Ko says.

South Korea’s new leader Lee Jae Myung has sought warmer ties with the nuclear-armed North and vowed to build “military trust”, but Pyongyang has said it has no interest in improving relations with Seoul.

The missile tests also come as the South and the United States conduct extensive joint military drills.

North Korea — which attacked its neighbour in 1950, triggering the Korean War — has long been infuriated by such exercises, decrying them as rehearsals for invasion.