Dec. 25 (Asia Today) -- North Korea said it conducted a first test launch of a high-altitude long-range surface-to-air missile system under development, but a South Korean defense expert said the launch appeared to be a flight test because no interception footage was released.
North Korea's Korean Central News Agency said the Missile Bureau carried out the test Wednesday to evaluate the system's tactical and technical characteristics. The agency said the missile hit and destroyed a simulated high-altitude target at a range of 200 kilometers.
The Missile Bureau said the test was part of routine work by the bureau and its research institutes to advance the country's air defense capabilities. State media said Kim Jong-un observed the launch and praised the results.
The missile was first shown publicly at an event marking the 80th anniversary of North Korea's air force last month, according to the report.
Related
