{"id":63704,"date":"2022-04-17T13:32:50","date_gmt":"2022-04-17T13:32:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/uncategorized\/2022\/04\/17\/north-korea-tests-new-weapon-bolstering-nuclear-capability\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T13:27:09","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T13:27:09","slug":"north-korea-tests-new-weapon-bolstering-nuclear-capability","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/flashpoints\/2022\/04\/17\/north-korea-tests-new-weapon-bolstering-nuclear-capability\/","title":{"rendered":"North Korea tests new weapon bolstering nuclear capability"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

SEOUL, South Korea \u2014 North Korea has test-fired a new type of tactical guided weapon designed to boost its nuclear fighting capability, state media reported Sunday, a day before its chief rivals the United States and South Korea begin annual drills<\/a> that the North views as an invasion rehearsal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 13th weapons test this year<\/a> came amid concerns that North Korea may soon conduct an even larger provocation<\/a>. That may include a nuclear test in an effort to expand the country\u2019s arsenal and increase pressure on Washington and Seoul while denuclearization talks remain stalled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The official Korean Central News Agency said leader Kim Jong Un<\/a> observed what it called the weapon\u2019s successful launch. It released a photo showing a beaming Kim clapping his hands with military officers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This undated photo provided Sunday, April 17, 2022, by the North Korean government shows its leader Kim Jong Un at an undisclosed location in North Korea. It said Sunday the country has successfully test-launched a newly developed tactical guided weapon. The official Korean Central News Agency said Kim observed the launch. (Korean Central News Agency\/Korea News Service via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

KCNA said the weapon tested has \u201cgreat significance in drastically improving the firepower of the front-line long-range artillery units, enhancing the efficiency in the operation of (North Korea\u2019s) tactical nukes and diversification of their firepower missions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

KCNA didn\u2019t elaborate, but its use of the words \u201ctactical nukes\u201d suggested the weapon is likely capable of carrying a nuclear warhead that could hit strategic targets in South Korea, including U.S. military installations. The KCNA dispatch didn\u2019t say when and where the launch occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNorth Korea is trying to deploy not only long-range nuclear missiles aimed at American cities but also tactical nuclear weapons to threaten Seoul and U.S. bases in Asia,\u201d said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPyongyang\u2019s purposes likely exceed deterrence and regime survival. Like Russia employs the fear it could use tactical nukes, North Korea may want such weapons for political coercion, battlefield escalation and limiting the willingness of other countries to intervene in a conflict,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\t