Pyongyang: North Korea announced on Thursday that it has successfully test-fired a tactical ballistic missile equipped with a cluster bomb warhead, asserting its capability to "reduce to ashes" any targeted area with concentrated firepower.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Hwasong-11Ka surface-to-surface missile, armed with a cluster bomb warhead, was launched as part of a series of "important" weapons system tests conducted from Monday to Wednesday. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that the missile demonstrated its ability to devastate a target area of 6.5-7 hectares.

The primary objective of the test was to evaluate the combat functionality and cluster munition effectiveness of the tactical ballistic missile's warhead. The South Korean military observed the launch of a short-range ballistic missile from the Wonsan area toward the East Sea on Wednesday afternoon, following multiple missile launches earlier that day. Another unidentified projectile was launched from Pyongyang on Tuesday but failed shortly after takeoff.

The missile tests suggest North Korea's focus on advancing its version of the Russian Iskander missile, known as the KN-23, to enhance its high-density strike capabilities. Furthermore, the KCNA highlighted the testing of a mobile short-range anti-aircraft missile system's combat reliability, alongside trials of an electromagnetic weapon system and carbon fiber "sham bombs."

KCNA emphasized the significance of these recent tests in the ongoing development and enhancement of North Korea's military capabilities, describing them as regular activities aimed at upgrading weapon systems. Notably, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was not reported to be present during the tests.

The missile launches occurred amid escalating tensions, with North Korea reiterating its hostile stance towards South Korea and dismissing efforts to ease inter-Korean relations. President Lee Jae Myung expressed regret over unauthorized drone flights into North Korea, prompting a response from Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of Kim Jong-un. In her statement, she conveyed North Korea's leader's view of Lee as "frank and broad-minded."

While South Korea perceived Kim's message as a potential step towards peace on the Korean Peninsula, North Korea's first vice foreign minister, Jang Kum-chol, dismissed this interpretation as unrealistic, reiterating North Korea's view of South Korea as its "most hostile state."