North Korea Tests New Anti-Aircraft Weapon

On Sunday, May 28, North Korea—after multiple defiant tests—has supervised the development of its new anti-aircraft weapon system and rendered it complete, ready for mass production throughout the nation.  North Korea’s KCNA news agency did not reveal the nature of the weapon, but did mention that the missile tests were organized by the Academy of National Defense Science, “a blacklisted agency that is believed to be developing missiles and nuclear weapons.”  Having been pushing the development of the its weapons systems since early last year, much progress has been made at a rapid rate.

North Korea has been said to reject “U.N. and unilateral sanctions by other states against its weapons program as an infringement of its right to self-defense and says the program is necessary to counter U.S. aggression.”  Conducting its last missile test just a week ago, it is clear that North Korea does not concern itself much with foreign relations or concerns, and seeks to speak out defiantly through its actions.  Having said to have its ballistic missile system pointed at the mainland of the United States, the North is ready to take action if the United States becomes a threat.

President Trump has said that conflict with North Korea is possible, but measures are being taken to ensure that such is not the case—sanctions are much preferred as to military actions.  As a result, the United States “denies any intention to attack the North.”

            The KNCA says, “Kim Jong Un… watched the test of a new type of anti-aircraft guided weapon system organized by the Academy of National Defense Science.  This weapon system, whose operation capability has been thoroughly verified, should be mass-produced to deploy all over the country… so as to completely spoil the enemy’s wild dream to command the air, boasting of air supremacy and weapon almighty.”  Accompanied by military aids, Kim Jong Un is believed to have listed three men as officials in overseeing and developing the country’s missile program.

These three men, former top air force general Ri Pyong Chol, veteran rocket scientist Kim Jong Sik, and Academy of National Defense Science head Jang Chang Ha, are believed to be best suited in “rapidly accelerating [the] missile program.”

Successfully testing their intermediate-range ballistic missiles on Monday, North Korea has met all the requirements needed to mass-produce their missiles.  According to the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency, North Korea could be on an “inevitable” path towards obtaining a nuclear-armed missile if left unchecked.

Measures are now being taken to make sure that North Korea is controlled and suppressed, subduing an imminent threat.  While these measures are taken, the United States consciously moves with caution in order to avoid North Korean aggravation.