North Korean leader shown observing weapons test as country fires projectiles into eastern waters

North Korea fired two projectiles into waters off the east of the Korean Peninsula Saturday evening, according to the South Korean military, the country's 12th such test this year. Images published Sunday by North Korea state-owned newspaper Rodong Sinmun showed the country's leader, Kim Jong Un, smiling and clapping as he observed the test-firing of what the newspaper called a "new tactical weapon."

The projectiles were fired from North Korea's Hamhung area around 6 p.m., South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement on Sunday. The projectiles flew about 110 kilometers (about 68.3 miles) at an altitude of 25 kilometers (15.5 miles), with a maximum speed of Mach 4.0 or lower, said the statement.

On Sunday, North Korean state media KCNA reported Kim had observed the test firing of a "new-type tactical guided weapon," which was "carried out successfully." KCNA claimed the new weapon boosted the country's "frontline long-range artillery units," and increased efficiency "in the operation of tactical nukes of (North Korea) and diversification of their firepower missions."

Read more