North Korea conducted the weapons tests Thursday, the 76th anniversary of the outbreak of the 1950-53 Korean War, in an apparent bid to demonstrate its ability to target major facilities in South Korea, which the North has labeled its "primary foe."

The North's leader supervised the test of "important weapons" as part of the country's project to modernise the artillery and missile forces under a five-year defense development plan, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

The tests involved an upgraded version of the 240mm-caliber 24-tubular multiple rocket launcher system, "special mission" warheads for tactical ballistic missiles and the extended-range shells for a 155mm self-propelled howitser, according to the KCNA.

With the latest tests, North Korea appeared to be focused on upgrading the performance of striking means that could put South Korea within its range. Pyongyang has shown animosity toward Seoul, declaring inter-Korean ties as those between "two states hostile to each other" in late 2023.

The country's policy on "self-defence is not merely for the enhancement of the defensive function relying on defensive means but for further strengthening the deadly and destructive offensive posture to make no enemy dare to confront," Kim was quoted as saying by the KCNA.