Seoul, April 20 (NationPress) North Korea has conducted a test involving cluster bombs during its recent launch of surface-to-surface ballistic missiles, overseen by leader Kim Jong-un, as reported by state media on Monday.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) disclosed the launch of the Hwasong-11 Ra tactical ballistic missile shortly after South Korea's military observed multiple short-range ballistic missiles fired toward the East Sea at approximately 6:10 a.m. from the Sinpho region of North Korea.

According to the KCNA, the objective of this test-launch was to assess the effectiveness of the cluster bomb warhead and fragmentation mine warhead integrated into the missile system.

Five missiles successfully hit a target area near an island covering about 13 hectares, located roughly 136 kilometers away, with a high density of strikes, showcasing their combat prowess, the KCNA report stated.

Images released featured Kim's daughter Ju-ae, who is thought to be positioned as his potential successor, joining him during the weapon test.

Kim expressed great satisfaction with the test-launch, stating, "It holds significant weight ... for enhancing the high-density striking capability aimed at a specific target area, along with high-precision striking capabilities."

"The development and implementation of various cluster bomb warheads can effectively meet the operational needs of the Korean People's Army in a more satisfactory manner," the report continued.

The leader also encouraged scientific research teams responsible for weapon development, expressing hope that they would persist in their important tasks to acquire and update various advanced technologies essential for the combat readiness of our forces.

Present at the test launch with Kim were Kim Jong-sik, a member of the Central Military Commission; Jang Chang-ha, head of the Missile Administration; and commanders from frontline military units.

This launch follows North Korea's test-firing of multiple short-range ballistic missiles on April 8. At that time, state media indicated the country had test-fired a tactical ballistic missile equipped with a cluster bomb warhead, asserting it could "reduce targeted areas to ashes" with its high-density capabilities.

South Korea's Office of National Security has condemned the recent North Korean missile launch, deeming it a violation of UN Security Council resolutions and urging an immediate cessation of North Korea's missile provocations.

A cluster bomb is designed to release numerous submunitions, enabling it to hit multiple targets over an extensive area. This weapon has been utilized by Iran in the ongoing Middle East conflict, posing a challenge to Israel's air defense system.

The North's report indicates that the recent test involved the launch of cluster bombs and airborne fragmentation mines integrated with missile warheads.

The KCNA also shared images of a missile being launched from a seawall and dispersing cluster bombs that impacted an islet, marking the first instance the country has revealed images of a cluster bomb test, as reported by Yonhap.

This also signifies North Korea's first official acknowledgment of the Hwasong-11 Ra ballistic missile, which had previously been referred to as either a new tactical ballistic missile or a tactical guided missile.

The 136-km range demonstrated in this launch could reach Seoul and extend to the US military base in Pyeongtaek and Osan Air Base if fired southward, according to Hong Min, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification.

According to him, the missile bridges the range gap between the North's multiple rocket launchers and short-range missiles, enabling targeting of the Seoul metropolitan area.

Yoon Min-ho, spokesperson for the South Korean unification ministry, assessed that this test launch appears to be part of North Korea's initiative to advance a defense development strategy adopted at the recent ninth congress of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea.

During the congress, Kim advocated for bolstering the deployment of multiple rocket launchers and tactical missiles in response to South Korea, he noted.

The spokesperson also highlighted the unusual presence of several military commanders responsible for frontline units at this test.