North Korea conducts cruise missile warhead test

North Korea on Friday (Apr 19) conducted a cruise missilewarhead test and test launch of its new anti-aircraft missile in the West Sea ofKorea, the KCNA news agency reported. North Korea conducted a power test of a super-large warhead designed for the "Hwasal-1 Ra-3" strategic cruise missile and a test launch of the "Pyoljji-1-2" new-type anti-aircraft missile.

"Both tests were part of the regular activities of the administration and its affiliated defence science institutes for the rapid development of technologies in various aspects such as tactical and technical performance and operation of new-type weapon systems," KCNA reported.

This launch came days after North Korea's Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un said now was thetime to be more prepared for war than ever.

"Outlining the complicated international situation ... and the uncertain and unstable military and political situation around the Democratic People's Republic ofKorea, he said that now is the time tobe more thoroughly preparedfor a war than ever before," Kim said during an inspection ofKim Jong Il University of Military and Politics.

Also watch |North Korea test launches cruise missiles from its West Coast

Kim told the university staffthat if the enemy opted for a military confrontation with North Korea, the country would deal a death blow to the enemy without hesitation by mobilising all means in its possession.

In recent years, Pyongyanghas stepped up weapons development. Itsstrategic cruise missileis believedtobe designedto carry a nuclear warhead.SouthKorea, Japan, and the United States, which often reportlargemissile tests they detect fromNorthKorea, made no mention of Friday's launch.

(With inputs from agencies)