North Korea has successfully tested five high-precision ballistic missiles armed with cluster bombs and fragmentation mines amid reports that the U.S. is restricting intelligence sharing with South Korea.
While North Korea has carried out over 300 ballistic missile tests under Kim Jong-Un, over 148 ballistic missiles had been supplied to Russia by early 2025, and accuracy has been honed with real-world data from the Ukraine war. There are growing concerns that since North Korea began contributing arms and troops to fight alongside Russia, the DPRK has gained valuable combat experience.
According to official reports, five Hwasong-11D tactical ballistic missiles were tested to “verify the characteristics and power of cluster bomb warhead and fragmentation mine warhead” and hit their target area about 136km away with “high precision”. In the last few weeks, North Korea has conducted tests with ballistic missiles, anti-warship cruise missiles, and cluster munitions.
In the Middle East conflict, Iran has used cluster munitions against Israel, while the U.S. is believed to have used them in Iran to deliver anti-tank mines
