Kim Jong Un grins whilst watching a ballistic missile test launch on May 21, 2017 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)
Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) observed and guided the test launch of the Pugukso’ng-2 ballistic missile near Pukch’ang, South P’yo’ngan, on the afternoon [NKST] of May 21 (Sunday). Joining him for the test launch were Korean People’s Army [KPA] Strategic Force Commander Gen. Kim Rak Gyom [Kim Rak-kyo’m], Workers’ Party of Korea [WPK] Munitions Industry Department Senior Deputy Director Ri Pyong Chol [Ri Pyo’ng-ch’o’l], WPK Munitions Industry Department Deputy Director Kim Jong Sik [Kim Cho’ng-sik], WPK Munitions Industry Department Jong Sung Il [Cho’ng Su’ng-il], WPK Munitions Industry Department Deputy Director (with a nuclear weapons portfolio) Yu Jin [Yu Chin], WPK Organization Guidance Department Deputy Director Jo Yong Won [Cho Yo’ng-wo’n], along with senior cadres of the WPK Central Committee.
According to state media reporting the missile test “was aimed to finally verify all the technical indices of the weapon system and completely examine its adaptability under various battle conditions before its deployment at military units for action.” Jong Un ordered the test to commence and after the test launch he and the accompanying officials “analyzed the result of the test-launch” and he expressed “great satisfaction over them…it is perfect.” Jong Un said “with pride” that the “missile’s rate of hits is very accurate and Pukgukso’ng-2 is a successful strategic weapon” and he approved the “deployment of this weapons system for action. ”
Kim Jong Un remarked that “now that its tactical and technical data met the requirements of the Party, this type of missile should be rapidly mass-produced in a serial way so as to arm the KPA Strategic Force.” Jong Un issued “tasks for bolstering up the country’s nuclear force” and expressed his “belief that the national defense scientists and the workers at the munitions factories intensely loyal to the WPK would produce better and more Chuch’e weapons, the nuclear offensive means of Korean style.” Jong Un posed for commemorative photos with the KPA Strategic Force personnel, Second Academy of Natural Sciences and Second Economy Commission personnel and senior functionaries involved with the test.
