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Pyongyang says the test demonstrated the missile's destructive power and vertical strike capability as Seoul vows readiness to counter provocations.

By The South Asia Times

SEOUL — North Korea has tested a dispersal warhead for a strategic cruise missile, state media reported Tuesday, days after conducting a separate test of a cluster warhead for tactical ballistic missiles.

The tests were conducted Monday by the Missile Administration to evaluate the warhead's destructive power and the missile's ability to strike targets from a steep, vertical angle, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.

The Warhead Institute of the Missile Administration said the medium-sized dispersal warhead could devastate an area of 5 to 6 hectares (12 to 15 acres) with its highest-density explosive power.

The Cruise Missile System Institute said it had improved the missile's terminal maneuverability to enhance its vertical strike capability, taking into account the natural and geographical characteristics of the target area.

The director of the Missile Administration said developing a variety of weapons systems was increasingly necessary to defend the country and deter threats, adding that the tests demonstrated North Korea's "practical combat power."

The latest test follows a Saturday trial of a cluster warhead designed for tactical ballistic missiles. Pyongyang has pledged to develop and deploy various types of cluster warheads by the end of the year.

- Focus on underground targets

South Korean experts said North Korea's emphasis on vertical strike capability could indicate efforts to improve its ability to hit underground military facilities and tunnel entrances used by South Korean forces, according to Yonhap News.

Shin Jong-woo, secretary-general of the Seoul-based Korea Defense and Security Forum, said the approach could maximize destructive power by allowing a missile to accelerate under gravity before striking its target.

The South Korean military said Tuesday it was maintaining an “overwhelming” response capability and readiness against potential North Korean provocations.

“Our military has already developed precision strike capabilities and relevant weapons systems, outplaying the North's asserted technology from 20 years ago, and is maintaining permanent operational readiness,” Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesperson Capt. Jang Do-young told a press briefing.

The latest weapons tests come amid continued tensions on the Korean Peninsula, where North Korea has pursued advances in missile technology while South Korea and the United States maintain joint defense cooperation.