Published: 09:23, August 24, 2025
KCNA: DPRK top leader oversees test-fire of new air defense missiles
By Xinhua

This undated picture released from the DPRK's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on August 22, 2025 shows DPRK top leader Kim Jong-un (center) meeting with soldiers during a performance commending combatants of the Korean People's Army's Overseas Operational Forces, who took part in military operations in Kursk Oblast of western Russia, at the April 25 House of Culture in Pyongyang. (PHOTO / AFP)

PYONGYANG - The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Saturday test-fired two improved types of new air defense missiles in a bid to examine their combat capabilities, with Kim Jong-un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, overseeing the event, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Sunday.

The new air defense missile weapon systems demonstrated superior combat capabilities of fast response to various aerial targets, such as attack drones and cruise missiles.

Their operation and reaction modes were described as innovative, with novel and distinctive technology, KCNA reported, citing an assessment of the test-firing conducted by the country's Missile Administration.

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The assessment concluded that the technological features of the new projectiles are highly suitable for destroying various aerial targets, KCNA said.