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SEOUL (Reuters) – Last week, North Korea claimed to have tested an unidentified "ultramodern tactical weapon," underscoring its desire to modernize its conventional weapons and reassure its army as discussions are underway to end to its nuclear program, analysts said.
PHOTO FILE: South Korean soldiers stand guard as construction machinery destroys guard post in the demilitarized zone dividing the two Koreas in Cheorwon on November 15, 2018. Jung Yeon-je / Pool via Reuters / File Photo
North Korean chief of diplomacy Kim Jong Un witnessed the test of a newly developed tactical weapon that could serve as a "steel wall," state media reported Friday without giving any details. details on the weapon.
This was the first time Kim had seen an armament test this year and could complicate the already stalled nuclear talks with the United States, although Washington and Seoul downplayed the move in an apparent effort not to derail negotiations.
Experts say the test was part of Kim Kim's move to shift the conventional military pillar from an army of nearly 1.3 million weapons to high-tech weapons.
"It sounds a bit like the North Korean version of the military reform," said Choi Kang, vice president of the Asan Institute for Political Studies in Seoul.
"If we are to find an underlying message to the outside world, it is:" Do not underestimate us, we are modernizing too. "
New advanced weapons could be even more crucial if the country abandons at least part of its nuclear arsenal.
Although Seoul and Washington far outweighed defense spending, Pyongyang, north-forward troops, cannons and multi-launch artillery rocket systems pose a significant threat to the allies.
The North Korean Army has nearly 5,500 MLRS, 4,300 tanks, 2,500 armored vehicles, 810 combat aircraft, 430 combat ships and 70 submarines, according to a 2016 assessment by the Ministry of Defense of the South.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies announced last week that it has identified at least 13 unreported missile bases in North Korea.
The Washington-based think tank also said Pyongyang was developing hovercraft units for its 200,000 special forces as part of the army modernization campaign.
Kim is striving to modernize ammunition factory production lines and replace aging weapons and technology since coming to power at the end of 2011.
"The defense industry should develop and manufacture strategic weapons and military equipment of our style, perfect its Juche-focused production structure, and modernize its production lines based on science and technology. point, "he said in his 2018 New Year's speech, referring to the long-standing principle of autonomy.
The two Koreas agreed at their September summit in Pyongyang to significantly reduce military tensions along the border, and the north began deactivating artillery pieces deployed along the skirmishing-ready west coast. announced the Seoul Ministry of Defense.
But the pact included no removal of MLRS from the forward-deployed areas, where long-range cannons and rocket launchers can still reach Seoul.
South Korean news agency Yonhap said the newly-tested weapon was a new model of MLRS, citing an unnamed military source familiar with intelligence. Other experts have suggested that it is a new short-range missile.
Kim Dong-yub, a military expert from the Institute of Far Eastern Studies of Kyungnam University in Seoul, said that by claiming a modernized weapon, Kim could seek to reassure hard military generals and the North Korean public worried about a possible nuclear arsenal. free future.
"As Kim has publicly declared the economy as a new priority and says that the North would disarm, many of the military who have seen a drop in interest and support could be questionable and worried because he did not get any concessions as important as an end-of-war declaration. "Kim," said the teacher.
"It might have been necessary for him to consolidate the nation even though such guidance on the ground would give a negative signal to the outside."
Reportage of Hyonhee Shin; Edited by Lincoln Feast
