North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the testing of two new air defense missiles on Saturday, state media reported.
The Korean Central News Agency said the two missiles were launched at targets in order to test their “combat capability.” The test appeared to be successful, as it was concluded that the air defense missile systems have “superior combat capability” in taking down potential incoming drones and cruise missiles due to their “unique and special technology.”
“The firing particularly proved that the technological features of two types of projectiles are very suitable for destroying various aerial targets,” KCNA added.
After the test, Kim, who was flanked by multiple military officials and others from his Workers’ Party of Korea, ordered an unspecified “important task” that will be implemented by the country’s Academy of National Defense Science, an organization that supports their ballistic missile and nuclear weapons program.
The missile test comes just two days before U.S. President Donald Trump is set to meet with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the White House.
That meeting, set for Monday, is likely to be dominated by security issues, including North Korea’s nuclear weapons program.
Kim has only vowed to speed up his country’s nuclear weapons production, most recently responding to annual U.S.-South Korea joint military drills by threatening a “radical and swift change in the existing military theory and practice and rapid expansion of nuclearization.”
NORTH KOREA’S KIM GIVES WARNING AS US AND SOUTH KOREA BEGIN JOINT MILITARY DRILLS
Tensions between the two countries are also rising after North Korean troops briefly crossed the heavily-fortified border between them earlier this week, with South Korean soldiers firing more than 10 warning shots in response.
The incident led to immediate condemnation from North Korea, who accused Seoul of a “deliberate provocation.”