Launch coincides with U.S.-South Korea drills and regional diplomatic meetings.

On Saturday, North Korean President Kim Jong Un oversaw the test launch of two new air defense missiles aimed at assessing the combat capability of the weapons.

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Several party and military officials attended the test, including Air Force commander Marshal Kim Kwang-hyok, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.

During the launch, KCNA said “the new air defense missile systems have superior combat capabilities and rapid response against various aerial targets such as attack drones and cruise missiles.” The agency added that their operation and response “are based on unique and special technology.”

On the day of the launch, Kim stressed “an important task that the national defense science sector must carry out” before the Workers’ Party Congress, though he did not provide details.

The North Korean missile test took place as South Korea and the United States are conducting their annual summer joint drills, known as Ulchi Freedom Shield, which began Monday and will last 11 days.

Pyongyang has issued multiple statements condemning the exercises. Last week, Kim described them as a show of the allies’ intent to “provoke a war.” His sister, Kim Yo Jong, later said South Korean President Lee Jae-myung was unfit to “change the course of history.”

Since taking office in early June, Lee has pursued a policy of engagement with North Korea, but Pyongyang has rejected any possibility of resuming inter-Korean dialogue.

The North Korean test came on the same day Lee met with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Tokyo, ahead of his Monday summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington.

teleSUR/ JF

Sources: EFE – KCNA

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