A ground-to-ground intermediate-range strategic ballistic missile Pukguksong-2, a Korean-style, new-type strategic weapon system, was successfully test-fired on February 12. Kim Jong Un, Chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK and Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army, guided the test-fire of Pukguksong-2 on the spot.
He set forth the task of developing the weapon system into ground-to-ground ballistic missile with extended firing range on the basis of the success made in the SLBM underwater test-fire held in August last year.
He received the report on the development of Pukguksong-2, set the date of its test-fire and personally guided the preparations for it on the spot.
Before the test-fire that day, he looked round a caterpillar self-propelled missile launching truck produced by workers in the munitions industry by their own efforts, technology and wisdom.
At the observation post he learned in detail about the plan for the test-fire of Pukguksong-2 and gave the order to launch it.
The test-fire proved the reliability and security of the ground launch system and starting feature of the high thrust solid fuel-powered engine and reconfirmed the guidance and control features of ballistic missile during its active flight and the working feature of high thrust solid fuel-powered engines and those of separation at the stages.
It also verified the position control and guidance in the middle section and section of re-entry after the separation of the improved warhead of the missile which can be tipped with a nuclear warhead, the feature of evading interception, etc. The test-fire helped test and round off the mobility and operation of the new-type missile launching truck in the worst surface condition and finally confirm its technological specifications through ballistic missile launch.
The test-fire was conducted by the high-angle launching method instead of the firing range, taking the security of neighbouring countries into consideration. Kim Jong Un said that the newly-developed Pukguksong-2 is a Korean-style advantageous weapon system providing convenience in operation and ensuring speed in striking and a Juche-missile, Juche-weapon in name and reality as the launching truck and ballistic missile were designed and manufactured and fired by our indigenous wisdom, efforts and technology. He expressed great satisfaction over the possession of another powerful nuclear attack means which adds to the tremendous might of the country.
Now our rocket industry has radically turned into high thrust solid fuel-powered engine from liquid fuel rocket engine and rapidly developed into a development- and creation-oriented industry, not just copying samples, he said, adding:
Thanks to the development of the new strategic weapon system, our People's Army is capable of performing its strategic duties most accurately and rapidly in any space: under waters or on the land.
At the end of the test-fire, he had a photo taken with scientists and technicians in the field of defence industry and service personnel who took part in the test-fire of Pukguksong-2.
KCNA