１８日発射は「超大型弾頭」　正恩氏視察、成功と主張―北朝鮮

　【ソウル時事】北朝鮮の金正恩朝鮮労働党総書記は１８日、４．５トン級の「超大型通常弾頭」を付けた新型戦術弾道ミサイル「火星１１ダ」と、改良型「戦略巡航ミサイル」の発射実験を視察した。朝鮮中央通信が１９日、伝えた。実験は成功し、正恩氏は「大満足」の意を示したという。
　核・ミサイル能力を高度化し、安全保障協力を強める日米韓３カ国に対抗する狙いとみられる。日韓の防衛当局は１８日、北朝鮮による短距離弾道ミサイルの発射を捉えていた。
　同通信によると、新型ミサイルの実験は「３２０キロ先の目標に命中させる精度や超大型弾頭の爆発威力」を実証する目的で行われた。北朝鮮は７月にも新型ミサイルを発射し、２回目の実験を予告していた。
　正恩氏は、日米韓の連携を念頭に「わが国の安保環境に外部勢力が深刻な脅威を及ぼしている」と非難。「核戦力を引き続き増強し、通常兵器でも世界最強の軍事技術力と圧倒的な攻撃力を保有しなければならない」と強調した。（2024/09/19-09:29）

North Korea's state media reported Thursday that the country successfully test-fired a new tactical ballistic missile with a 4.5-ton "ultra-large" warhead and an improved strategic cruise missile the previous day in the presence of its leader, Kim Jong Un.
   The missile test appeared to be part of the reclusive country's efforts to upgrade its nuclear and missile capabilities to counter security cooperation between Japan, the United States and South Korea.
   On Wednesday, Japanese and South Korean defense authorities detected North Korea's launch of a short-range ballistic missile. North Korea had warned of a second test of the new missile after firing one in July.
   According to the Korean Central News Agency, the latest test was aimed at demonstrating the missile's ability to hit a target 320 kilometers away and the explosive power of its ultra-large warhead.
   Kim Jong Un was quoted as saying that his country's security environment faces serious threats from foreign forces, apparently referring to Japan-U.S.-South Korea cooperation, and that his country will continue to improve its nuclear capabilities and must have world-class military technology and overwhelming strike capabilities in conventional weapons, as well.