Seoul, June 26 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has observed major weapon tests, including a new multiple rocket launcher, the Yonhap news outlet reported on Friday, citing the North's official media.

The development comes days after North Korea commissioned its first naval destroyer, a 5,000-ton warship, Choe Hyon, which Kim has touted as a symbol of the country's growing naval and nuclear capabilities.

Yonhap reported that weapon tests watched by Kim were conducted on Thursday to coincide with 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 the South" including US military bases there.

According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the ...