Kim Jong Un (File photo)
North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un has supervised a test firing of two “new” air defense missiles, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Sunday.The North Korean state media’s report did not provide any details on the missiles, nor on where the test was held.It said the test-firing took place on Saturday, and that it had demonstrated the “superior combat capability” of the “improved” missile weapon systems.”The firing particularly proved that the technological features of two types of projectiles are very suitable for destroying various aerial targets,” KCNA said.Missile test held amid surging tensions on Korean peninsula: South Korea’s military said Saturday that it had fired warning shots at around 30 North Korean troops who last week had briefly crossed the military demarcation line at the heavily mined Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), which separates the two nations.North Korean state media quoted Army Lieutenant General Ko Jong Chol as saying that the incident was a “premeditated and deliberate provocation.””This is a very serious prelude that would inevitably drive the situation in the southern border area, where a huge number of forces are stationed in confrontation with each other, to the uncontrollable phase,” said Ko.The reported missile test on Saturday also comes as the United States and South Korea hold joint military exercises, which began on Monday. This month, Kim slammed the annual drills, calling them “hostile and confrontational.”South Korean president Lee Jae Myung has called for warmer ties with North Korea and pledged to build “military trust,” but Pyongyang has dismissed the idea of improving relations.Lee took office in June after a period of deep chill under his hawkish predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol.Lee is due to meet his US President Donald Trump in Washington, DC, on Monday for their first summit.
