▲ North Korea test-fires an upgraded large-caliber multiple rocket launcher system to assess its effectiveness, overseen by leader Kim Jong-un, at an unspecified location on Jan. 27, 2026, in this file photo released by the North's official Korean Central News Agency the next day. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)

NK-missile launch

N. Korea says conducted firepower strike drill with 600 mm ultra-precision multiple rocket launchers

SEOUL, March 15 (Yonhap) -- North Korea conducted a firepower strike drill involving 600-millimeter ultra-precision multiple rocket launchers, attended by leader Kim Jong-un, state media reported Sunday.

"A long-range artillery sub-unit of the Korean People's Army in the western area conducted a firepower strike drill" the previous day, involving 12 "600 mm-caliber ultra-precision multiple rocket launchers and two artillery companies," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

The previous day, South Korea's military detected about 10 ballistic missiles launched toward the East Sea from Sunan, near Pyongyang, which flew some 350 kilometers and were seen as the North's response to the ongoing annual South Korea-U.S. military exercise.

The weapon will "immediately be used for their second mission as a means of massive, destructive strike" in case deterrents fail to prevent foreign forces from launching an armed provocation or invading North Korea, Kim was quoted as saying.

Kim's daughter Ju-ae was seen accompanying him during the supervision of the exercise.

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