North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally supervised the test-firing of two newly developed air defense missiles, according to state media KCNA. The tests, conducted on August 23 and 24, 2025, aimed to evaluate the combat capabilities of these new missile systems, which reportedly feature improved technology designed to counter drones and cruise missiles. The launches occurred amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, coinciding with the annual joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea, known as Ulchi Freedom Shield. Pyongyang has accused Seoul of escalating border tensions, and the missile tests are viewed as part of North Korea's broader effort to bolster its military strength. State media highlighted the missiles' rapid response capabilities against various aerial targets, including unmanned aerial vehicles. The tests underscore North Korea's ongoing advancements in air defense technology and its intent to demonstrate military readiness in a volatile regional security environment.