![North Korea’s Missile Administration conducts tests of two newly developed surface-to-air missiles with improved performance against various targets to assess their combat capabilities in the presence of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Aug. 23, the Korean Central News Agency reports on Aug. 24. [YONHAP]](https://www.koreadailyus.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/0825-missile.jpg)
Senior officials, including Jo Chun-ryong, secretary of the Central Committee, Kim Jong-sik, first deputy department director of the Central Committee, Air Chief Marshal Kim Kwang-hyok, commander of the Air Force of the Korean People’s Army and Kim Yong-hwan, president of the DPRK Academy of Defence Sciences, attended the test.
The agency claimed that “it has been assessed that the new air defence missile weapon systems have superior combat capability for fast response to various aerial targets such as attack drones and cruise missiles and their operation and reaction mode is based on unique and special technology.”
Seoul and Tokyo reaffirmed their “firm commitment” to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in a joint statement, pledging closer coordination on North Korea policy.
Kim had already denounced the start of the Ulchi Freedom Shield joint drills on August 25, calling them “the most hostile and confrontational” stance toward Pyongyang while speaking aboard the new destroyer Choe Hyon. Analysts view the latest missile test as a continuation of this hostile posture.
But some observers suggest Pyongyang deliberately kept the demonstration low-key. Rather than unveiling new offensive strike weapons, Kim chose to highlight air defense systems, and KCNA released only limited images showing successful intercepts without disclosing launch sites or exact specifications.
“North Korea appears focused on showcasing improvements in its defensive and deterrent capabilities, rather than provoking with aggressive rhetoric or offensive weapon displays,” said Hong Min, senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification.
Hong added that Pyongyang may unveil additional weapons tests or inspection activities in succession after wrapping up the Eighth Congress of the ruling Workers’ Party, using them to frame new tasks at the upcoming ninth congress.
BY SHIM SEOK-YONG [kim.minyoung5@joongang.co.kr]
