North Korea Conducted Large-Scale Rocket and Drone Exercises

On September 12, North Korea conducted large-scale live-fire exercises involving artillery and missile units. The military employed strike drones, cruise and ballistic missiles, and large-caliber multiple rocket launchers.

Pyongyang disclosed details of the exercises on September 14. According to the North Korean state agency KCNA, units from five artillery and missile formations participated. The exercises were intended to test the troops' readiness to perform combat missions.

Various types of strike drones, tactical cruise missiles, large-caliber thermobaric multiple rocket launchers, and tactical ballistic missiles were involved in the firings. The DPRK claims that all systems successfully hit designated targets.

The exercises were observed by one of the DPRK's top military-political officials, Pak Jong Chon. The country's leader, Kim Jong Un, was not present.

South Korean military had detected the launch of several ballistic missiles from the Wonsan area toward the Sea of Japan as early as the morning of September 12. According to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, the missiles were launched at approximately 05:20 and flew about 250 km.

Seoul believes that among the launched assets could have been short-range ballistic missiles of the Hwasong-11 family and shells from 600mm multiple rocket launchers.

The exercises occurred the day after the conclusion of the five-day Freedom Edge maneuvers involving South Korea, the United States, and Japan. Pyongyang had previously sharply criticized these exercises and threatened corresponding measures. The Office of the President of South Korea called the ballistic missile launches a violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

Based on materials from: Aju Press, Yonhap News Agency, The Korea Times