N. Korea Boasts About 'Super-Large' Rocket Launcher

North Korea said Friday the latest test-firing of its "super-large" multiple rocket launcher was a final review of the weapon’s combat application, a suggestion that the country is preparing to deploy the new weapons system soon. South Korea’s military earlier said North Korea fired two projectiles, likely from the same "super-large" rocket launcher, on Thursday, the AP reports. It expressed "strong regret" over the launches and urged North Korea to stop escalating tensions. On Friday, North’s Korean Central News Agency confirmed the launches were made with the presence of leader Kim Jong Un and other top officials.

"The volley test-fire aimed to finally examine the combat application of the super-large multiple launch rocket system proved the military and technical superiority of the weapon system and its firm reliability," KCNA said. It said Kim expressed "great satisfaction" over the results of the test-firing. Thursday’s firing was the fourth test-launch of the rocket launcher since August. Some experts say the flight distance and trajectory of projectiles fired from the launcher show they are virtually missiles or missile-class weapons. The projectiles fired Thursday flew about 235 miles at a maximum altitude of 60 miles, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff.

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