North Korea learning lessons from Iran war, analyst says

North Korea was learning lessons from conflicts such as Ukraine and in the Middle East in developing cutting-edge weapon systems, an analyst said on Thursday (April 9).

"North Korea is developing a variety of weapons to send an external message: 'We also possess such weapon systems. Don't attack us recklessly like Iran'," said Shin Jong-woo, secretary general at the Korea Defense and Security Forum, noting how it was important to be able to mass produce weapons and also use electronic warfare to disrupt power grids and industrial infrastructure.

North Korea tested a new cluster-bomb warhead on a ballistic missile and an electromagnetic weapon this week, state media KCNA reported on Thursday, in a move seen as part of efforts by Pyongyang to showcase its capacity to fight a modern war.

The country's Academy of Defence Science and the Missile Administration also conducted tests of carbon-fiber bombs and a mobile short-range anti-aircraft missile system, KCNA added.

Carbon-fiber bombs, which have been developed by advanced militaries such as the U.S. and China, are capable of crippling infrastructure like power plants by sprinkling conductive strands of carbon fiber over a target.

Shin said it's first time Pyongyang was also openly stating it was pursuing weapons designed to attack South Korea’s industrial infrastructure.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said on Wednesday (April 8) that Pyongyang had test-fired multiple missiles over several days.

Production: Minwoo Park, Jungmin Ryu/Reuters