South Korea issues chilling warning to Kim Jong-un as North Korea deploys weapon

15 February 2024 , 14:45

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A test-fire of a ballistic missile by North Korea (Image: (Image: GETTY))

Tensions are rising on the Korean peninsula as South Korea's military has warned it is ready to respond strongly to any threats from North Korea.

Colonel Lee Sung-jun, a spokesperson for the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), told reporters: "Our military maintains a posture that can overwhelmingly respond to North Korea's artillery provocations, while continuously monitoring its weapons development and enhancing our deterrence and response capabilities."

This warning came after North Korea claimed to have developed a new type of rocket launcher and ballistic control system. The JCS didn't give any details about this weapon, but it's known to be near the border with South Korea, which could pose a threat to Seoul.

North Korea has been testing more weapons this year, including cruise missiles and artillery, which has worried South Korea and the US. Despite warnings from these countries, North Korea said earlier this month that it had tested cruise missiles with warheads and a new anti-aircraft missile.

North Korea's news agency, KCNA, has described the country's warheads as "super-large". They said these tests are part of the country's "normal activities" for military development. Just two weeks ago, North Korea announced it had tested a new solid-fuel hypersonic missile with an intermediate range.

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Kim Jong-un is the leader of North Korea ((Image: GETTY))

In 2021, North Korea carried out its first test of a hypersonic missile. The country is among those trying to get hold of these next-generation long-range rockets, which are hard to detect and stop.

Hypersonic missiles can launch a warhead that travels more than five times the speed of sound - that's around 3,850mph - and they can fly at relatively low heights.

North Korea has been testing more weapons recently. This comes just a few months after the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in September.

After their meeting, South Korea's National Intelligence Service accused North Korea of sending weapons to Russia to be used in the conflict in Ukraine.

It's thought that North Korea is getting military equipment in return, which it needs to improve its defence industry.

Ryan Fahey