World\Asia-Pacific

DPRK confirms test firing another medium-range ballistic missile

Xinhua | Updated: 2017-05-22 10:07

PYONGYANG - The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Monday confirmed it test-fired another medium-range ballistic missile on Sunday.

The Korean Central News Agency said DPRK's top leader Kim Jong Un supervised the test-fire of a ground-to-ground medium-to-long range strategic ballistic missile "Pukguksong-2."

"The test-fire of Pukguksong-2 was aimed to finally verify all the technical indexes of the weapon system and thoroughly examine its adaptability under various battle conditions, before its deployment at military units for action," said the report.

This was the second time for DPRK to have test fired missile within one week. Sunday, it test-fired a long medium-range ballistic missile "Hwasong 12."

Afte issuing an order to launch the missile at the observation post, Kim analyzed with officials the results of the test-launch, said the report.

"He said the missile's rate of hits is very accurate and Pukguksong-2 is a successful strategic weapon. He approved the deployment of this weapon system for action," said the report.

Kim also said "this type of missile should be rapidly mass-produced in a serial way to arm the Korean People's Army Strategic Force.

"Pukguksong-2" medium range ballistic missile is capable of striking targets 500 km away.