North Korea Conducts Tests of New Electromagnetic and Blackout Bombs

(SeaPRwire) –   Pyongyang aims to bolster its military capabilities by adding non-nuclear “special assets” to its stockpile.

According to the KCNA state news agency, North Korea has executed a number of advanced weapons trials in an effort to enhance its arsenal with electromagnetic weaponry, carbon fiber bombs, and updated mobile air defense units.

Spanning three days, the tests were supervised by General Kim Jong-sik, who labeled the electromagnetic system and carbon fiber bombs as “special assets” within the nation’s military inventory, though he offered limited specifics regarding the new armaments.

The military in South Korea reported observing multiple missile firings originating from North Korea. Reuters reports that these projectiles traveled distances ranging from 240 to 700 km.

The ‘blackout’ carbon fiber bombs are engineered to scatter conductive graphite-laden filaments across power grids and generating stations, causing short circuits. Another device, the non-nuclear electromagnetic pulse (EMP) weapon, is designed to similarly disable electronic components in military targets like radar installations and planes. KCNA noted that the trials also included testing a new cluster warhead intended for the Hwasong-11, a ballistic missile with nuclear capabilities.

These tests occurred as tensions escalate on the Korean Peninsula. In a declaration made on Tuesday, First Deputy Foreign Minister Jang Kum-chol branded South Korea as the “most hostile enemy state.”

Earlier in the week, Seoul offered an apology to Pyongyang regarding drone violations, asserting that there was no official sanctioning and arguing that the flights were a private endeavor. Charges have been brought against three individuals, comprising a staff member of the National Intelligence Service, an officer from the South Korean military, and a graduate student.

Diplomatic relations have remained largely stagnant since 2019, after nuclear discussions between Pyongyang and Washington fell apart. These talks had been launched by then-US President Donald Trump during his initial term in the White House.

Last month, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un declared that possessing a nuclear arsenal sufficient to present a genuine threat to the US serves as the sole counterbalance to American “terrorism and aggression.” He further affirmed that North Korea refuses to relinquish its nuclear armaments and will resist any attempts to undermine its standing.