North Korean leader marks Korean War anniversary with weapons tests
by Kwon Seog-rimPosted : June 26, 2026, 09:28Updated : June 26, 2026, 09:33
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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (center) instructs officials at an undisclosed location on June 25, 2026, in this photo released by the state-run [North] Korean Central News Agency the following day.
SEOUL, June 26 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un marked the 76th anniversary of the 1950-53 Korean War by overseeing "tests of major weapons," state media reported on Friday.
According to the state-run [North] Korean Central News Agency, the tests were conducted the previous day to evaluate the accuracy and combat readiness of a 240-mm multiple rocket launcher system, a tactical ballistic missile and a 155-mm self-propelled howitzer, all of which have enough range to hit targets in South Korea.
KCNA released a series of photos showing Kim, accompanied by senior party officials and military brass, inspecting weapons lined up along the coast, and said the test was aimed at changing the fire posture along the "southern border," with its leader stressing "the three principles of putting weapons on an automatic, long-range and ultra-precision basis."
It also quoted Kim as saying, "To make the enemies feel constant uneasiness and fear is just an important aspect of the exercise of war deterrent."
A missile is being fired from a multiple rocket launcher during a weapons test at an undisclosed location on June 25, 2026, in this photo released by the state-run [North] Korean Central News Agency the following day.
Citing the current international situation, in which "sovereignty can be defended and existence guaranteed only by complete upper-hand in strength," Kim stressed the need to strengthen the country's military capabilities as an "immediate task" under its five-year plan for national defense and called for the "irreversible" development of its armed forces.
