Trending Now - North Korea Confirms Missile Tests Featuring Cluster-bomb Warheads

WHO:

CNN - North Korean state media reported that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will arrive in North Korea on April 10th, 2026, for a two-day trip.

CNN - Jang Do-young, a spokesperson for South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated that the military was analyzing the launches while sharing information with U.S. and Japanese counterparts.

CNN - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un

CNN - Jang Kum Chol, first vice minister at Pyongyang’s Foreign Ministry

CNN - South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff

CNN - North Korean state media, Korean Central News Agency (KCNA)

WHAT:

CNN - North Korea's missile tests included demonstrations of purported electromagnetic weapons systems and carbon-fiber bombs, in addition to ballistic missiles armed with cluster-bomb warheads.

CNN - North Korea's missile tests included demonstrations of cluster-munition warhead systems mounted on the nuclear-capable Hwasong-11 ballistic missiles.

NPR - Japan's Defense Ministry reported that none of the weapons fired on April 8th, 2026, entered waters within its exclusive economic zone.

ABC News World - North Korea conducted weapons tests involving ballistic missiles armed with cluster-bomb warheads.

CNN - The tests included demonstrations of anti-aircraft weapons, electromagnetic weapons systems, and carbon-fiber bombs.

CNN - The missiles launched on April 6th, 2026, flew distances of 240 to 700 kilometers (150 to 434 miles).

CNN - The launches confirmed that the short-range missile, when armed with cluster munitions, can destroy targets covering an area of 6.5-7 hectares (16 to 17.2 acres).

WHERE:

CNN - The missiles were launched from an eastern coastal area of North Korea and near the capital, Pyongyang.

WHEN:

CNN - The missile tests lasted three days starting on April 6th, 2026, and included launches on April 7th and April 8th, 2026.

CNN - The missile tests began on April 6th, 2026, and included launches on April 7th and April 8th, 2026.

CNN - The missile tests began on April 6th, 2026, and lasted for three days.

CNN - The South Korean military detected missile launches on April 6th and April 5th, 2026.

WHY:

CNN - Jang Kum Chol stated that South Korea would always remain North Korea’s “most hostile enemy state” and criticized Seoul’s government for attempting to revive dialogue, calling its officials "world-startling fools."

CNN - Jang Kum Chol criticized Seoul's government for attempting to revive dialogue, calling its officials "world-startling fools."

CNN - North Korea aims to expand its nuclear-capable forces aimed at rival South Korea.

CNN - Jang Kum Chol stated that South Korea would always remain North Korea’s “most hostile enemy state” and criticized Seoul’s government for attempting to revive dialogue.

HOW:

CNN - The missiles are designed for low-altitude, maneuverable flight to evade missile defense systems, resembling Russia’s Iskander missiles.

CNN - The ballistic missiles tested are designed for low-altitude, maneuverable flight to evade missile defense systems, resembling Russia’s Iskander missiles.

(UPDATED April 10, 2026 01:22 UTC)

North Korean state media has announced that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will arrive in North Korea on Friday, for a two-day visit. This comes on the heels of North Korea's missile tests, which lasted three days starting on Monday and included launches on Tuesday and on Wednesday, showcasing purported electromagnetic weapons systems and ballistic missiles armed with cluster-bomb warheads. In a statement, Jang Kum Chol condemned South Korea as North Korea's "most hostile enemy state," criticizing its government for trying to revive dialogue and labeling its officials as "world-startling fools."

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(UPDATED April 9, 2026 17:23 UTC)

North Korea has conducted a series of missile tests from on Monday to on Wednesday, showcasing cluster-munition warhead systems on its nuclear-capable Hwasong-11 ballistic missiles. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesperson, Jang Do-young, confirmed that the military is analyzing these launches and sharing information with U.S. and Japanese counterparts, while Japan's Defense Ministry reported that none of the missiles entered its exclusive economic zone. In a related statement, North Korean official Jang Kum Chol criticized South Korea's government for its attempts to revive dialogue, labeling its officials as "world-startling fools."

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(UPDATED April 9, 2026 13:23 UTC)

North Korea has conducted a series of weapons tests involving ballistic missiles armed with cluster-bomb warheads, which began on Monday and lasted for three days, with launches detected on both on Sunday and 6. The missiles, launched from an eastern coastal area near Pyongyang, flew distances ranging from 240 to 700 kilometers and are designed for low-altitude, maneuverable flight to evade missile defense systems. North Korean officials, including Jang Kum Chol, emphasized that South Korea remains their "most hostile enemy state," as they aim to expand their nuclear-capable forces.