20 April 2024,   13:30
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North Korea confirms barrage of missile tests as Kim Jong-un visits arms factory

North Korea has test-fired more long-range cruise missiles and short-range ballistic missiles, state media says, part of a record-breaking streak of launches this year, writes The Guardian.

Pyongyang has conducted six weapons tests since the start of the year, including hypersonic missiles, one of the most intense barrages in a calendar month on record, while ignoring US offers of talks.

On Friday, the official Korean central news agency said it “conducted the test-fire for updating long-range cruise missile system and the test-fire for confirming the power of conventional warhead for surface-to-surface tactical guided missile”.

KCNA said the test on Tuesday involved long-range cruise missiles flying over the East Sea - also known as the Sea of Japan - and hitting “the target island 1,800km away”.

Thursday’s launch then saw short-range ballistic missiles hit a “target island”, KCNA added, “proving that the explosive power of the conventional warhead complied with the design requirements”.

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