N Korea tests new system

Kim Jong Un supervised the test-firing of a new guided weapons system to improve North Korea's "tactical nukes", state media said yesterday, capping days of celebrations surrounding the birthday of the country's founding leader.

The launch was the latest in an unprecedented blitz of sanctions-busting weapons-tests this year, which included firing an intercontinental ballistic missile at full range for the first time since 2017.

It also came just ahead of US-South Korea military training exercises -- which have always infuriated Pyongyang -- that were due to begin today.

The "new-type tactical guided weapon... is of great significance in drastically improving the firepower of the frontline long-range artillery units and enhancing the efficiency in the operation of tactical nukes," the KCNA news agency reported.

It said the test was successful, but did not specify when or where it took place.