North Korea has successfully launched a new anti-aircraft missile, state media reported Friday, the latest in a series of weapons tests by the nuclear-armed country.
The official Korean Central News Agency said the anti-aircraft missile had "amazing battle performance" and had twin rudder controls and other novel technologies.
After launching a previously unknown hypersonic missile on Tuesday, it was North Korea's second reported weapons test this week.
The tests demonstrated how North Korea has been slowly building more advanced weapons, raising the stakes for efforts to persuade it to abandon its nuclear and missile programs in exchange for relief from sanctions by the United States.
KCNA said the test was aimed at proving the practical functionality of the missile's launcher, radar, full battle command vehicle, and combat performance, the Academy of Defence Science, a military weapons developer, reported.
The tests, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said, "increase the likelihood of instability and insecurity."
North Korea claims it needs its weapons for self-defense and accuses the U.S. and South Korea of "double standards."
Despite stringent restrictions, the recent tests are considered as a clear indicator that the North has no intention of slowing down its weapons development.
It fired a long-range cruise missile last month and tested a hypersonic gliding vehicle earlier this week, which the South Korean military said appeared to be in the early stages of development.
The South Korean defense ministry told Agence France Press it was unable to confirm the new launch right away.
Anti-aircraft missiles are far smaller and harder to detect from afar than ballistic missiles, which the North is prohibited from manufacturing by the United Nations Security Council resolutions.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un stated Wednesday he has no reason to attack South Korea and that he is willing to reopen the country's severed inter-Korean hotlines. It did, however, criticize the Biden administration for pursuing hostile policy with "more clever means and methods" while advocating discussion.
Some analysts say this is a sign that Pyongyang wants to keep Washington and Seoul apart by pursuing engagement with South Korea while cutting off connection with the U.S.
