(LEAD) N. Korea tests cluster bomb mountable on tactical ballistic missiles

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(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with S. Korean military's statement and more details)

SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- North Korea has tested a cluster bomb that can be mounted on tactical ballistic missiles and vowed to field various types of cluster warheads by the end of the year, its state media said Sunday.

The North's Missile Administration conducted the test on Saturday to assess the combat adaptability and power of a cluster-bomb warhead to be mounted on tactical ballistic missiles, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

The research institutes under the Missile Administration "confirmed that Standard Type 2 cluster-bomb warhead is capable of turning into ashes a target area of 12 to 13 hectares with its highest-density power," according to the KCNA.

The general director of the Missile Administration was quoted as stating that the cluster bomb warheads are classified into four categories depending on their purposes.

"Within this year we will enable units to select and use all those types according to operational aims and specific features of targets," the director said.

A cluster bomb releases dozens to hundreds of submunitions, allowing it to strike multiple targets over a wide area.

This composite photo released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Nov. 1, 2026, shows a test of a cluster warhead for tactical ballistic missiles, conducted the previous day. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)

South Korea's military said it had been monitoring the missile launch, adding that the missile was fired toward the Yellow Sea from an area around the northwestern county of Chongju.

"Under close information sharing between South Korea and the United States, (we) tracked relevant activities before North Korea's missile launch and maintained a readiness posture," South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said Sunday, a day after the test.

South Korea's military usually announces North Korean ballistic missile launches shortly after they occur.

Shin Jong-woo, secretary-general of the Seoul-based Korea Defense and Security Forum, said the missile appeared to be the Hwasong-11 Ra.

In April, North Korea said it tested cluster bombs mounted on the Hwasong-11 Ra tactical ballistic missile, a launch overseen by leader Kim Jong-un and his daughter Ju-ae.

Saturday's test came amid renewed calls by the top diplomats of South Korea, the United States and Japan for the complete denuclearization of North Korea during their trilateral talks in Atlanta.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said Saturday that President Donald Trump remains open to talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un if Pyongyang is willing to discuss issues of concern to Washington and its allies, though no meeting has been scheduled.

elly@yna.co.kr (END)

(3rd LD) N. Korea tests cluster bombs in latest ballistic missile launch

(LEAD) N. Korea tests cluster bomb mountable on tactical ballistic missiles

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首尔，11月1日（韩联社）——朝鲜官方媒体周日表示，朝鲜已试射可安装在战术弹道导弹上的集束炸弹，并誓言在年底前部署各种类型的集束弹头。

据朝中社报道，朝鲜导弹管理局于周六进行了此次试验，以评估将安装在战术弹道导弹上的集束炸弹弹头的作战适应性和威力。

据朝中社报道，导弹管理局下属的研究机构“证实，标准2型集束炸弹弹头在其最高密度功率下，能够将12至13公顷的目标区域夷为平地”。

导弹管理局局长曾表示，集束炸弹弹头根据其用途分为四类。

“今年内，我们将使各部队能够根据作战目标和目标的具体特征选择和使用所有这些类型，”该主任说。

集束炸弹会释放数十枚至数百枚子弹药，使其能够打击大范围内的多个目标。

这张由朝鲜中央通讯社（朝中社）于2026年11月1日发布的合成照片显示，前一天进行了一次战术弹道导弹集束弹头的试验。（仅限韩国境内使用，禁止转载）（韩联社）

韩国军方表示，他们一直在监测导弹发射，并补充说，导弹是从西北部清州市附近地区向黄海发射的。

韩国联合参谋本部周日表示：“在韩国和美国密切的信息共享下，我们在朝鲜导弹发射前跟踪了相关活动，并保持了戒备状态。” 朝鲜导弹试验发生一天后，韩国联合参谋本部表示。

韩国军方通常会在朝鲜弹道导弹发射后不久发布公告。

总部位于首尔的韩国国防安全论坛秘书长申钟宇表示，该导弹似乎是火星-11 Ra型导弹。

今年4月，朝鲜表示，他们测试了安装在“火星-11”罗战术弹道导弹上的集束炸弹，此次发射由领导人金正恩和他的女儿金柱爱监督。

周六的这次试验正值韩国、美国和日本的高级外交官在亚特兰大举行的三方会谈中再次呼吁朝鲜彻底无核化之际。

美国国务卿马可·卢比奥周六也表示，如果平壤愿意讨论华盛顿及其盟友关心的问题，唐纳德·特朗普总统仍然愿意与朝鲜领导人金正恩进行对话，尽管目前尚未安排任何会晤。

elly@yna.co.kr（完）

（3rd LD）朝鲜在最近一次弹道导弹发射中测试集束炸弹

（导语）朝鲜试射可挂载于战术弹道导弹上的集束炸弹