01.11.2026 16:13
North Korea tested a cluster bomb warhead developed to be mounted on tactical ballistic missiles. The official news agency KCNA claimed that the warhead, called “Standard Type 2,” has the capacity to turn an area of 12-13 hectares to ashes. The South Korean military announced that the missile was launched from around Chongju toward the Yellow Sea. Pyongyang announced that it would deliver different types of cluster warheads to units by the end of the year.
North Korea on Saturday conducted a test of a cluster bomb warhead developed for use on tactical ballistic missiles. The test came after the United States, South Korea, and Japan reiterated their call for Pyongyang's complete nuclear disarmament.
“CAN REDUCE THE TARGET AREA TO ASHES” CLAIM
According to information released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Sunday, North Korea's Missile Administration conducted the test to evaluate the combat suitability and power of the warhead, described as a “significant weapons system.” KCNA's statement claimed that the Standard Type 2 cluster bomb warhead “is capable of reducing a target area of 12 to 13 hectares to ashes with the highest-intensity destructive power.”
TO BE DELIVERED TO UNITS BY THE END OF THE YEAR
The Director-General of the Missile Administration announced that cluster bomb warheads are divided into 4 categories according to their purposes. The director stated that within this year, units will become able to select and use all of these types according to operational purposes and target characteristics.
SOUTH KOREA: WE TRACKED THE LAUNCH
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that the missile was launched from around Chongju County in the northwest of the country toward the Yellow Sea. The Joint Chiefs, stating that they monitored preparations before the launch in information-sharing with the United States, reported that readiness posture was maintained. No information about the missile's range was shared.
Shin Jong-woo, an expert from the Korea Defense and Security Forum, said it was assessed that the missile used in the test was the Hwasong-11 Ra type.
IT HAD ALSO TESTED IN APRIL
North Korea had announced in April 2026 that it had also tested cluster bombs mounted on the Hwasong-11 Ra tactical ballistic missile under the supervision of Kim Jong-un and his daughter Ju-ae. KCNA at that time claimed that the short-range missile equipped with a cluster munition warhead could burn targets in an area of 6.5-7 hectares. The 12-13 hectare area claimed in the latest statement corresponds to approximately twice the figure announced in April.
TEST CAME AFTER TRILATERAL MEETING
The test was conducted after the foreign ministers of the United States, South Korea, and Japan renewed their call for North Korea's complete nuclear disarmament at their trilateral meeting in Atlanta. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that President Donald Trump is open to meeting with Kim Jong-un if Pyongyang is willing to discuss Washington's and its allies' concerns. There is no planned meeting between the two leaders.
WHAT IS A CLUSTER BOMB?
Cluster bombs are known as weapons that open in the air and scatter dozens or even hundreds of small explosive submunitions over a wide area. Because some of these munitions remain unexploded and pose a threat to civilians for a long time, the use of cluster bombs is banned by an international convention to which more than 100 countries are party. North Korea, South Korea, and the United States are not parties to this convention.