N. Korean leader observes test-fire of new weapon amid tension

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has observed the test-fire of a new anti-tank guided weapon, the North‘s state media reported Saturday, amid a growing tension with the outside world over its nuclear and missile programs.

Kim claimed the portable anti-tank laser-guided rocket has the longest firing-range in the world and its rate of hits is “as accurate as a sniper’s rifle firing” as well as its armor penetrating capability and destructive power are marvelous.

“He noted with great satisfaction that even the special armored tanks and cars of the enemies, which boast their high maneuverability and striking power, are no more than a boiled pumpkin before the anti-tank guided weapon,” of North Korea, the Korean Central News Agency said in an English-language dispatch, without elaborating on date of his inspection.

Kim also called for quickly starting massive production of the weapons and deploying them at frontline military units and coastal units.

The report of Kim‘s latest inspection came after the United States unveiled key points of the draft sanctions resolution to punish North Korea for carrying out a fourth nuclear test and launching a long-range rocket in recent weeks.

North Korea claims its rocket launch in February was designed to put a satellite into orbit. Still South Korea, the U.S. and other regional powers view it as a cover for testing its ballistic missile technology, which is banned under U.N. resolutions.

The new sanctions would require mandatory inspections of all cargo going in and out of North Korea, ban exports of coal, iron and other mineral resources -- a key source of hard currency for Pyongyang - and prohibit all small arms and other conventional weapons from being sold to the North.

The resolution, which is expected to be formally adopted as early as Saturday, also calls for banning jet and rocket fuel supplies to the North, and grounding North Korean flights suspected of carrying contraband, and denying suspicious vessels carrying illicit items access to ports. (Yonhap)