North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un Supervises Successful Test of Advanced Anti-Ship Missile
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally oversaw the testing of the country’s latest surface-to-sea missiles, heightening concerns and escalating tensions in the already complex geopolitical landscape. According to state media reports, the tests included the successful firing of the “Padasuri-6” anti-ship missile in the Sea of Japan to the west of the Korean Peninsula.
The missile tests underline North Korea’s persistent efforts to bolster its military capabilities, with substantial investments in advanced weaponry becoming a focal point of international concern. Kim Jong Un expressed great satisfaction with the results of the test-fire and ordered an increase in military readiness on the maritime border with South Korea, particularly in the disputed waters near the Northern Limit Line.
The maritime border between North and South Korea, known as the Northern Limit Line, has never been officially demarcated, leading to previous clashes between the two nations. Kim decried South Korea’s “desperate efforts to preserve ‘northern limit line'” and vowed to defend maritime sovereignty by force, not just through rhetoric.
Earlier this year, Kim declared South Korea as his country’s “principal enemy,” abandoned agencies dedicated to reunification, and threatened war over even minor territorial infringements. The recent tests, including cruise missiles and a solid-fueled hypersonic ballistic missile, demonstrate North Korea’s commitment to advancing its military capabilities.
The latest test involved the “Padasuri-6” anti-ship missile, which successfully hit its intended targets after flying over the East Sea for 1,400 seconds, according to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Kim accused South Korea of allowing various battleships to intrude into North Korean waters, seriously encroaching upon its sovereignty.
Kim’s direct involvement in overseeing the missile tests signifies North Korea’s determination to strengthen its military posture. The North Korean leader emphasized the need to defend maritime sovereignty through action, not mere rhetoric. The KCNA report stated that Kim referred to the de facto Northern Limit Line as a “ghost one without any ground in the light of international law,” rejecting its legitimacy.
Experts speculate that North Korea’s recent missile launches, including cruise missiles, may be a prelude to potential collaboration with Russia, with suspicions that the weapons could be shipped to Moscow for use in Ukraine. Pyongyang and Moscow have strengthened ties in recent months, raising concerns about potential arms shipments violating UN sanctions.
