North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally supervised the launch of two newly developed surface-to-air missiles on Aug. 23, state-run Korean Central News Agency reported the following day. The Missile General Bureau fired the projectiles at unspecified aerial targets to verify what KCNA called their “superior combat capability” and rapid response against attack drones and cruise missiles. Photographs released by Pyongyang showed Kim observing the drills alongside senior military officials. KCNA said the weapons employ “unique and special” technology and proved suitable for destroying a range of airborne threats. Kim ordered defence scientists to press ahead with further work on the systems ahead of an upcoming ruling-party meeting, according to the report, but no details on range, altitude or deployment timelines were disclosed. The test came as the United States and South Korea conduct their large-scale Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise and one day before President Donald Trump is due to meet South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Washington. Pyongyang has denounced the allied drills as hostile and vowed to accelerate its military build-up in response.