N. Korea tests cluster bomb mountable on tactical ballistic missiles

On November 1, North Korea successfully tested a cluster bomb capable of being mounted on tactical ballistic missiles, according to state media. The Missile Administration conducted the test on Saturday to evaluate the bomb's effectiveness when attached to such missiles, the Korean Central News Agency reported. General Kim Jong-sik, a member of the Central Military Commission and first vice department director of the Workers' Party of Korea, oversaw the test.

Cluster bombs are designed to release dozens to hundreds of submunitions, enabling them to strike multiple targets across a broad area. North Korean research institutes confirmed that the Standard Type 2 cluster-bomb warhead can reduce a target area of 12 to 13 hectares to ashes.

The general director of the Missile Administration stated that the cluster bomb warheads are categorized into four types based on their intended use. Throughout the year, North Korea aims to equip units with all four types of warheads depending on the specific operational objectives and target features, the director said.

In April, North Korea announced that it had tested cluster bombs mounted on the Hwasong-11 Ra tactical ballistic missile, a launch supervised by leader Kim Jong-un and his daughter Ju-ae. The North claimed the test was to assess the power of the cluster bomb warhead and fragmentation mine warhead attached to the weapon system.