North Korea deems latest round of missile tests a success

North Korea deemed its latest round of super-large multiple rocket launcher tests on Thursday afternoon a success, per state news agency KCNA, Reuters reports.

The big picture: The same weapon was tested both in August and September, as talks between the U.S. and North Korea over nuclear weapon development remain up in the air.

What they're saying per Reuters: "The success of the tests was immediately reported, and Kim Jong-un 'expressed satisfaction' and congratulated the scientists who had developed the weapon, KCNA said, indicating that Kim was not at the site."

• Thursday’s test confirmed that the “continuous fire system” weapon is able to “totally destroy” a group target by a surprise attack, KCNA noted.
• “This launch and continued North Korean aggression underscore the need for the Trump Administration to re-commit to the maximum pressure policy” and for Congress to impose more sanctions against North Korea, Sen. Corey Gardner (R-Colo.) said.

Go deeper:

• North Korea claims it tested "super-large" multiple rocket launcher
• Expert Voices: Ignoring North Korean missile tests could hamper nuclear talks