Kim Jong-un oversees test-firing of rocket launcher amid South Korea-U.S. drills

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un oversaw the test-firing of a 240-millimeter multiple rocket launcher equipped with a new "guidance system" amid the ongoing Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) joint exercise between South Korea and the United States.

In this photo released by Pyongyang's state-controlled Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Wednesday, North Korea's 240-millimeter multiple rocket launcher with a new guidance system is test-fired at an unspecified location the previous day under the supervision of leader Kim Jong-un. [YONHAP]

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un oversaw the test-firing of a 240-millimeter multiple rocket launcher equipped with a new “guidance system” amid the ongoing Ulchi Freedom Shield joint exercise between South Korea and the United States, according to Pyongyang’s state media Wednesday.

The test of the upgraded multiple rocket launch system (MRLS), whose range includes the greater Seoul area, has sparked speculation that the weapon could potentially be exported to Russia.

The state-controlled Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that the MRLS had been updated in terms of “maneuverability and concentrated firing capability” and that the test “proved to be advantageous in all indices, including the newly applied guidance system, controllability and destructive power.”

The agency said Kim “set forth an important policy to be pursued in producing new artillery pieces and equipping army units with them” without providing further details. Kim oversaw the test on Tuesday at military production facilities controlled by the North’s Second Economic Commission, according to the KCNA.

State media also released a photo showing two rockets being launched from a transporter erector launcher.

An official from South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the military had tracked Tuesday morning’s rocket launch and added that the ongoing joint exercise “will proceed as planned.”

While North Korea disclosed only two rocket launches, the South’s military believes that several were fired.

Earlier in February, North Korea conducted a ballistic control test of its newly developed 240-millimeter multiple rocket launcher, claiming that the test had proven the accuracy of its latest arms development.

In April, it also announced that Kim had inspected the test-firing of the 240-millimeter multiple rocket launcher.

BY LEE YOO-JUNG, CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]