Kim Jong Un Attends MLRS Test

Kim Jong Un observes the test of multiple-launch rockets systems [MLRS] (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un’s last observed appearance was his visit to T’aeso’ng Machine Factory

Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) attended the test firing of multiple-launch rocket systems [MLRS] which will be deployed to the DPRK’s reserve military training units (Worker-Peasant Red Guard, Young Red Guards, etc.).  Also in attendance were Choe Ryong Hae (Workers’ Party of Korea [WPK] Secretary for Workers’ and Social Organizations), Hong Yong Chil (deputy director of the WPK Machine-Building [Military] Industry Department), Kim Jong Sik (deputy director of the WPK Machine-Building [Military] Industry Department) and Colonel-General Yun Tong Hyon (Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces with a portfolio in the munitions and logistics industry).

Ri Chun Hui reads a short preamble to the state media report about Kim Jong Un’s command and observation of the MLRS tests (Photo: KCTV screen grab).

Kim Jong Un and senior WPK and KPA munitions industry officials observe the test firing of a multiple launch rocket system (Photos: KCNA/Rodong Sinmun).

The KCNA item on Jong Un’s inspection of the MLRS had a preamble that said that “the US imperialists and their followers’ flagrant moves for political and economic pressure and military aggression on the DPRK have gone to a grave phase that can no longer be overlooked. They committed a ferocious hostility of illegalizing the DPRK’s independent rights as a sovereign state by adopting an unprecedented and gangster-like new ‘resolution of sanctions’ over its bolstering of its self-defensive deterrent and legitimate launch of the earth observation satellite Kwamgmyo’ngso’ng-4.  All the people in the DPRK are now waiting for an order of combat to annihilate the enemy with their surging wrath at the US imperialists and south Korea’s Park Geun Hye (Pak Ku’n-hye) group of traitors.”

Tests of what appear to be a newer 300 mm MLRS. According to DPRK state media, the MLRS will be deployed to the contry’s reserve military training units (Photos: KCNA/Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un points out a projectile fired from an MLRS during test firing. Also in attendance are WPK Machine-Building Industry (Military Industry) Department Deputy Director Hong Yong Chil [a] and WPK Machine-Building Industry (Military Industry) Deputy Director Kim Jong Sik [b] (Photo: KCTV screen grab).

Kim Jong Un observed and guided the test firing of MLRS “of new type to be deployed in the reserve artillery units of the Korean People’s Army [KPA].”  Jong Un was briefed about the testing firing along with “tactical and technological specification of controlled rocket ordnance.”    The test firing “in various ways with fragmentation mine shell, underground penetration shell and scattering shell showed that the ordnance rocket warhead, made in combination with high-energy material, has amazing destructivity and killing power.”  Jong Un was “very satisfied to see controlled ordnance rockets hitting accurately and destroying to pieces the strongly-built simulates enemy personnel, tank, artillery and vehicle shelters.”

Kim Jong Un commands and observes the MLRS test firing (Photos: Rodong Sinmun/KCNA).

According to KCNA he said “the development of Chuch’e weapons representing the era of the dignified Workers’ Party is a proud result from the undying feats of President Kim Il Sung (Kim Il-so’ng) and leader Kim Jong Il (Kim Cho’ng-il) who had dedicated their mental and physical effort to the strengthening of the Chuch’e-based defense capability, and from the Party’s policy of attaching importance to the defense science and technology.  At the same time, it eloquently shows the tremendous potentials of the DPRK’s self-supporting defense industry.  The serial production of Korean-style large-caliber multiple launch rocket system of new type helps further strengthen the striking power of the Korean People’s Army qualitatively.”

Tests of a new 300 mm multiple launch rocket system which will be deployed to Young Red Guard, Worker-Peasant Red Guard and other reserve military training units in the DPRK (Photos: KCNA/Rodong Sinmun).

Jong Un remarked that “the situation has reached a very dangerous phase that can no longer be neglected as the enemies are intent on such last-ditch attempts as ‘beheading operation’ and ‘collapse of social system’ while working hard to violate the dignity and sovereignty of the DPRK and its right to existence.”  He added that “now is the time for us to convert our mode of military counteraction toward the enemies into a preemptive attack one in very aspect.  It is a very foolish act for Park Geun Hye to cry for ‘preemptive attack’ while recklessly beefing up the armed forces in league with the US scoundrels, but her hysteria will precipitate only her ruin in the long run.”

Kim Jong Un at the test firing of MLRS. Also in attendance are Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces Colonel-General Yun Tong Hyong [a], WPK Secretary for Workers’ and Social Organizations Choe Ryong Hae [b] and WPK Machine-Building Industry (military industry) Deputy Director and missile expert Kim Jong Sik (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un said that “the DPRK would see how the enemies, seeking to deprive it of the independent right to use space for peaceful purposes, talk about and move over the test-fire of its new weapons system held today with their large-scale joint military exercises against it ahead.  The national defense sector should deploy at an early date new-type large-caliber multiple launch rocket systems and other recently-developed strike weapons in the operations area of the Supreme Command so as not to allow the enemies to sleep in peace till the moment they meet their final end in their land.  The only way for defending sovereignty  of our nation and its right to existence under the present extreme situation is to bolster up nuclear forces both in quality and quantity and keep the balance of forces.”  It was stressed that “the need to get the nuclear warheads deployed for national defense always on standby as to be fired any moment.”

Kim Jong Un inspects a new MLRS system (Photos: Rodong Sinmun/KCNA).

Kim Jong Un inspects a new model MLRS. Noted in the photo are members of Jong Un’s close security escort (Photo: KCTV screen grab).

Jong Un “expressed belief that the officials, scientists and technicians engaged in the defense science [sector] would steadily develop new-type ultra-modern strike arms and equipment, make a fresh leaping progress in the strengthening of military capability this year greeting the Seventh Congress of the WPK and thus consolidate the country’s defense capability as firm as a rock.”