North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised a test-firing of 600mm-caliber multiple rocket launchers that state media KCNA said struck an island target in the East Sea about 364.4 km away with "100 percent" accuracy. South Korea's military reported that more than 10 ballistic missiles were fired into the sea while U.S. and South Korean forces conducted joint drills. The Joint Chiefs said the launches originated near Pyongyang at about 1:20 p.m. (0430 GMT).
Kim Jong Un Oversees 600mm Rocket Launcher Test That KCNA Says Hit Island 364.4 km Away
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visits a munitions factory in Pyongyang, North Korea, in this picture released on March 12, 2026 by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency. KCNA via REUTERS /File Photo
SEOUL, March 15 — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Saturday supervised the test-firing of 600mm-caliber multiple rocket launchers, state media KCNA reported.
“The launched rockets battered the island target in the East Sea of Korea about 364.4 km away with the accuracy of 100 percent,” KCNA said.
What South Korea Reported
South Korea's military said more than 10 ballistic missiles were fired into the sea on Saturday. The launches occurred while U.S. and South Korean forces were conducting joint military drills and as U.S. President Donald Trump renewed diplomatic overtures toward Pyongyang.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were launched from an area near the capital, Pyongyang, at about 1:20 p.m. local time (0430 GMT) toward the country's east coast.
Context and Significance
KCNA's claim that the rockets struck an island target roughly 364.4 km away — and that they did so with "100 percent" accuracy — highlights Pyongyang's focus on demonstrating artillery and strike capabilities. South Korea's statement provides an independent operational account of multiple missile launches; independent verification of the KCNA accuracy claim was not available at the time of reporting.
Sources: State media KCNA; Republic of Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff; reporting by Hyunjoo Jin; edited by Andrea Ricci.
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