North Korean President Kim Jong-un oversees test of new surface-to-sea missiles

Defense News ,North Korea :- In a recent development, North Korean President Kim Jong-un oversaw the testing of a new surface-to-sea missile, the Padasuri-6, heightening tensions in the region. The missile launch occurred a day after South Korea reported multiple cruise missile firings by North Korea off the eastern port of Wonsan. The missile, which hit its target over the East Sea, remained airborne for approximately 23 minutes and 20 seconds, with further details undisclosed, as reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

This marks North Korea's fifth cruise missile test this year, adding to concerns just days before the 82nd birthday of the late former leader Kim Jong-il, Kim Jong-un's father. Following the test, Kim Jong-un ordered an enhancement of the defense posture near the western maritime border and criticized South Korean warships for allegedly violating North Korean waters.

Accusing South Korea of defending the Northern Limit Line (NLL), a maritime border unrecognized by the North, Kim referred to it as a "ghost" line not acknowledged by international laws. Emphasizing the need for armed actions to defend maritime sovereignty, Kim stated, "When the enemy intrudes into the maritime border recognized by us, we will regard it as an encroachment upon the sovereignty of the DPRK and an armed provocation against it."

In response, Kim directed the reorganization of coastal missile battalions in the east and west sea fleets. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), North Korea's official name, has long contested the NLL, seeking its relocation further south, as it was unilaterally drawn by the US-led UN Command after the 1950-53 Korean War.

The NLL has been a historical flashpoint, leading to naval skirmishes between the Koreas in 1999, 2002, and 2009. In 2010, North Korea torpedoed a South Korean warship in the Yellow Sea, resulting in the death of 46 sailors. Kim Jong-un, in a parliamentary meeting in January, warned that even a minor violation of territorial land, air, or waters by South Korea would be considered a provocation of war.

Experts suggest that North Korea's new ground-to-ship missile, similar to Russia's Kh-35 Uran cruise missiles, is designed to counter naval capabilities, particularly those of South Korea and the United States, including aircraft carriers. Hong Min, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, highlighted its potential impact on regional dynamics.

North Korea has been escalating tensions through various weapons tests, including solid-fuel hypersonic missiles and strategic cruise missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. The recent visit by Kim Jong-un to a key munitions factory further underscores North Korea's commitment to advancing its military capabilities. Kim directed the Second Economic Committee, responsible for the North's munitions industry, to initiate a new project, as reported by the KCNA.

As North Korea continues to flex its military muscle, the international community closely monitors the evolving situation, considering the potential implications for regional stability and diplomatic relations. The repeated missile tests underscore the need for diplomatic efforts to address longstanding issues and promote peaceful resolutions to avoid further escalation in the Korean Peninsula.