Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), oversaw the delivery of 250 new tactical ballistic missile launchers to frontier troops, state media KCNA reported on Monday.

The launchers have been described by state media as a modern tactical attack weapon personally designed by Kim and ready to be transferred to Korean People's Army units on the frontier with the Republic of Korea (ROK).

Pyongyang said it test-fired a new tactical ballistic missile last month.

Seoul said the move intended to "threaten" the ROK. Lee Sung-joon, spokesperson for ROK's Joint Chiefs of Staff, told a media briefing that they believe (the missile launchers) are intended to be used in various ways, such as to attack or threaten the South. ... Deploying near the border would mean that the range is not long. 

Kim's daughter, Kim Ju Ae, attended the event, KCNA photos showed, making her first public appearance in nearly three months. 

(With input from Reuters)

(Cover: Kim Jong Un hands the military flag of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to soldiers during a ceremony to mark the delivery of 250 new tactical ballistic missile launchers in Pyongyang, DPRK, August 4, 2024. /CFP)