합참 "北발사 전술무기, 지상전투용 유도무기로 평가"

Staying with North Korea... the South Korean military echoed Washington's claims that the new guided weapon test-fired by North Korea this week... was not a "ballistic missile."
The assessment made by the U.S. is also seen by many... as a move to maintain amicable relations with Kim Jong-un to keep the denuclearization dialogue alive.
Kim Ji-yeon reports.
South Korea's military confirmed that the weapon North Korea claimed to have test-fired this week was one used for ground combat... and not a "ballistic missile."
An officer of South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said Friday the assessment of the "new tactical guided weapons firing test" was jointly made with the U.S.
This comes in response to a report released by Pyeongyang's state-run Korean Central News Agency on Wednesday that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had inspected and directed the weapons test.
The day before the test, it was reported that Kim had reviewed an air force flight exercise.
Regarding the new test-fire, U.S. Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan told reporters the new test didn't prompt any changes to U.S. military operations or posture towards North Korea.
It marked the first time a U.S. government official publicly confirmed North Korea's state media reports on the weapons tests conducted by the reclusive state... according to AP.
The U.S. is seen as to be calculating its moves in a way they don't irritate North Korea in order to seek a "big deal" on denuclearization.
U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton said in an interview with U.S. broadcaster P-B-S Wednesday... that U.S. President Donald Trump had sent a congratulatory letter to Kim ahead of North Korea's "Day of the Sun" which celebrates the anniversary of the birth of the regime's late founder and Kim Jong-un's grandfather, Kim Il-sung.
Kim Ji-yeon, Arirang News.