North Korea’s Kim Jong Un Supervises Anti-Tank Laser-Guided Rocket Test-Fire

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un Supervises Anti-Tank Laser-Guided Rocket Test-Fire

North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un observed a test-fire for a new anti-tank guided weapon despite increasing scrutiny over Pyongyang increasing its weapons through its nuclear and missile programs, Yonhap reported Saturday, citing the North’s state-run media.

The portable anti-tank laser-guided rocket allegedly has the longest firing range in the world, according to Kim, and it is “as accurate as a sniper's rifle firing.” The Yonhap report also added that the rocket’s armor penetrating capability and its destructive power are very strong. However, when Kim carried out the inspection was unclear.

“He (Kim) noted with great satisfaction that even the special armored tanks and cars of the enemies, which boast their high maneuverability and striking power, are no more than a boiled pumpkin before the anti-tank guided weapon,” Yonhap reported, citing KCNA, North Korea’s official news agency.

The North Korean leader also called to produce a huge range of weapons that can be deployed to the frontline military and coastal units, Yonhap reported, citing KCNA.

The latest report of the rocket test-firing comes as key points from a bill to impose some of the harshest sanctions against the reclusive country was unveiled by the U.S. Friday and is awaiting approval in the United Nations Security Council over the weekend. The bill calls for an inspection of all the material being sent in and out of the country along with bans on some of Pyongyang’s exports, including coal, iron, gold, titanium, and rare earth minerals. The resolution also called for a ban on North Korea importing aviation fuel, which is also needed for rockets.

“These will be the most powerful U.N. sanctions on North Korea by far,” a South Korean official said on condition of anonymity, according to the Korea Times, adding: “It will be critical to implement the resolution in cooperation with China and other neighboring countries.”

The resolution, which will also ground flights suspected of carrying contraband, was also backed by Pyongyang’s biggest ally China and is expected to be formally adopted early Saturday. While China had preferred to conduct dialogue with the secretive North Korea, the U.S. has wanted to impose stronger punishments for its moves of conducting a fourth nuclear test last month and launching a long-range rocket in the past few weeks.

Although North Korea claimed that the rocket launch in February that put its satellite into orbit was just for scientific and “peaceful purposes,” South Korea, Washington and other Western allies see it as a cover to test a long-range missile test.