합참 "北발사 전술무기, 지상전투용 유도무기로 평가"<br /> <br />Seoul's military echoed Washington's claims that the new guided weapon test-fired by North Korea this week... was not a "ballistic missile."<br />The assessment made by the U.S. is also seen by many... as a move to maintain amicable relations with the regime to keep the denuclearization dialogue alive.<br />Kim Ji-yeon has the full story. <br /> 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."<br />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. <br />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.<br />The day before the test, it was reported that Kim had reviewed an air force flight exercise.<br />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.<br />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.<br />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.<br />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.<br />Kim Ji-yeon, Arirang News. <br />
