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AP sports week in pictures: A gallery of game action, celebrations and more

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AP sports week in pictures: A gallery of game action, celebrations and more
Sport

Sport

AP sports week in pictures: A gallery of game action, celebrations and more

2024-09-17 17:31 Last Updated At:17:41

A collection of some of the top sports photos in the past week by AP photographers around the world.

A Colombia fan poses for a photo prior to a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 against Argentina at the Metropolitano Roberto Melendez stadium in Barranquilla, Colombia, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

A Colombia fan poses for a photo prior to a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 against Argentina at the Metropolitano Roberto Melendez stadium in Barranquilla, Colombia, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Venezuela's Nahuel Ferraresi eyes the ball under pressure from Uruguay's Cristian Olivera during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Monumental de Maturin Stadium in Maturin, Venezuela, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Venezuela's Nahuel Ferraresi eyes the ball under pressure from Uruguay's Cristian Olivera during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Monumental de Maturin Stadium in Maturin, Venezuela, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Canelo Alvarez lands a right to Edgar Berlanga in a super middleweight title bout Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Canelo Alvarez lands a right to Edgar Berlanga in a super middleweight title bout Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Rayssa Real of Brazil in action during the women quarterfinals at the Street Skateboarding Worlds, in Rome, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Rayssa Real of Brazil in action during the women quarterfinals at the Street Skateboarding Worlds, in Rome, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Fans watch from the 11th fairway during a Solheim Cup golf tournament foursomes match at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Gainesville, VA. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Fans watch from the 11th fairway during a Solheim Cup golf tournament foursomes match at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Gainesville, VA. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Fans watch as the sun sets during the first half of an NCAA college football game between Kansas State and Arizona Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Fans watch as the sun sets during the first half of an NCAA college football game between Kansas State and Arizona Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) throwsw a pass as a teammates helmet flies off during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) throwsw a pass as a teammates helmet flies off during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Joel Dahmen hits from the 14th fairway during the first round of the Procore Championship PGA golf tournament at the Silverado Resort North Course in Napa, Calif., Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Joel Dahmen hits from the 14th fairway during the first round of the Procore Championship PGA golf tournament at the Silverado Resort North Course in Napa, Calif., Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas can't get to a ball hit for a two RBI single by Chicago Cubs' Miguel Amaya during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas can't get to a ball hit for a two RBI single by Chicago Cubs' Miguel Amaya during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Colombia's James Rodriguez celebrates scoring a penalty, his side's second goal, against Argentina during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at the Metropolitano Roberto Melendez stadium in Barranquilla, Colombia, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)

Colombia's James Rodriguez celebrates scoring a penalty, his side's second goal, against Argentina during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at the Metropolitano Roberto Melendez stadium in Barranquilla, Colombia, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)

Workers prepare a large American flag on the field before an NFL football game between the Washington Commanders and the New York Giants in Landover, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Workers prepare a large American flag on the field before an NFL football game between the Washington Commanders and the New York Giants in Landover, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Athletes compete in the men's 5000 meters during the Diamond League final 2024 athletics meet in Brussels, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Frederic Sierakowski)

Athletes compete in the men's 5000 meters during the Diamond League final 2024 athletics meet in Brussels, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Frederic Sierakowski)

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) is tackled by Denver Broncos players during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) is tackled by Denver Broncos players during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Spain's Lucia Corrales, left and Canada's Florianne Jourde fight for the ball during a U-20 Women's World Cup round of sixteen soccer match in Cali, Colombia, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Spain's Lucia Corrales, left and Canada's Florianne Jourde fight for the ball during a U-20 Women's World Cup round of sixteen soccer match in Cali, Colombia, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Dutch players celebrate defeating Colombia in a penalty shoot-out of a U-20 Women's World Cup quarterfinal soccer match at Pascual Guerrero Olympic stadium in Cali, Colombia, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Dutch players celebrate defeating Colombia in a penalty shoot-out of a U-20 Women's World Cup quarterfinal soccer match at Pascual Guerrero Olympic stadium in Cali, Colombia, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill eyes a ball during a team practice session, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill eyes a ball during a team practice session, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

A participant competes in the dressage event at the first German Hobby Horsing Championship in Frankfurt, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

A participant competes in the dressage event at the first German Hobby Horsing Championship in Frankfurt, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

Philadelphia Phillies' Kody Clemens, right, is doused by teammates Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh after hitting a walkoff single off Tampa Bay Rays' Garrett Cleavinger during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

Philadelphia Phillies' Kody Clemens, right, is doused by teammates Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh after hitting a walkoff single off Tampa Bay Rays' Garrett Cleavinger during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason (24) is tackled New York Jets safety Chuck Clark, front left, linebacker Jamien Sherwood, bottom left, safety Tony Adams (22) and defensive end Jalyn Holmes, top, during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason (24) is tackled New York Jets safety Chuck Clark, front left, linebacker Jamien Sherwood, bottom left, safety Tony Adams (22) and defensive end Jalyn Holmes, top, during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Seattle Sounders midfielder Albert Rusnák moves the ball against Sporting Kansas City midfielder Rémi Walter, left, during the first half of an MLS soccer match Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seattle Sounders midfielder Albert Rusnák moves the ball against Sporting Kansas City midfielder Rémi Walter, left, during the first half of an MLS soccer match Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Colton Herta celebrates after winning an IndyCar auto race Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Colton Herta celebrates after winning an IndyCar auto race Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Nebraska fans cheer for the defense as they play against Northern Iowa during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)

Nebraska fans cheer for the defense as they play against Northern Iowa during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)

Houston Astros' Jason Heyward walks through the dugout during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Houston Astros' Jason Heyward walks through the dugout during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Europe's Carlota Ciganda hits from the third tee during a Solheim Cup golf tournament foursome match at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Gainesville, Va. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Europe's Carlota Ciganda hits from the third tee during a Solheim Cup golf tournament foursome match at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Gainesville, Va. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Washington State players run out onto the field before an NCAA college football game against Washington, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington State players run out onto the field before an NCAA college football game against Washington, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

More Images
A Colombia fan poses for a photo prior to a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 against Argentina at the Metropolitano Roberto Melendez stadium in Barranquilla, Colombia, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

A collection of some of the top sports photos in the past week by AP photographers around the world.

Venezuela's Nahuel Ferraresi eyes the ball under pressure from Uruguay's Cristian Olivera during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Monumental de Maturin Stadium in Maturin, Venezuela, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Venezuela's Nahuel Ferraresi eyes the ball under pressure from Uruguay's Cristian Olivera during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Monumental de Maturin Stadium in Maturin, Venezuela, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Canelo Alvarez lands a right to Edgar Berlanga in a super middleweight title bout Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Canelo Alvarez lands a right to Edgar Berlanga in a super middleweight title bout Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Rayssa Real of Brazil in action during the women quarterfinals at the Street Skateboarding Worlds, in Rome, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Rayssa Real of Brazil in action during the women quarterfinals at the Street Skateboarding Worlds, in Rome, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Fans watch from the 11th fairway during a Solheim Cup golf tournament foursomes match at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Gainesville, VA. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Fans watch from the 11th fairway during a Solheim Cup golf tournament foursomes match at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Gainesville, VA. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Fans watch as the sun sets during the first half of an NCAA college football game between Kansas State and Arizona Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Fans watch as the sun sets during the first half of an NCAA college football game between Kansas State and Arizona Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) throwsw a pass as a teammates helmet flies off during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) throwsw a pass as a teammates helmet flies off during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Joel Dahmen hits from the 14th fairway during the first round of the Procore Championship PGA golf tournament at the Silverado Resort North Course in Napa, Calif., Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Joel Dahmen hits from the 14th fairway during the first round of the Procore Championship PGA golf tournament at the Silverado Resort North Course in Napa, Calif., Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas can't get to a ball hit for a two RBI single by Chicago Cubs' Miguel Amaya during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas can't get to a ball hit for a two RBI single by Chicago Cubs' Miguel Amaya during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Colombia's James Rodriguez celebrates scoring a penalty, his side's second goal, against Argentina during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at the Metropolitano Roberto Melendez stadium in Barranquilla, Colombia, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)

Colombia's James Rodriguez celebrates scoring a penalty, his side's second goal, against Argentina during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at the Metropolitano Roberto Melendez stadium in Barranquilla, Colombia, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)

Workers prepare a large American flag on the field before an NFL football game between the Washington Commanders and the New York Giants in Landover, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Workers prepare a large American flag on the field before an NFL football game between the Washington Commanders and the New York Giants in Landover, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Athletes compete in the men's 5000 meters during the Diamond League final 2024 athletics meet in Brussels, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Frederic Sierakowski)

Athletes compete in the men's 5000 meters during the Diamond League final 2024 athletics meet in Brussels, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Frederic Sierakowski)

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) is tackled by Denver Broncos players during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) is tackled by Denver Broncos players during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Spain's Lucia Corrales, left and Canada's Florianne Jourde fight for the ball during a U-20 Women's World Cup round of sixteen soccer match in Cali, Colombia, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Spain's Lucia Corrales, left and Canada's Florianne Jourde fight for the ball during a U-20 Women's World Cup round of sixteen soccer match in Cali, Colombia, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Dutch players celebrate defeating Colombia in a penalty shoot-out of a U-20 Women's World Cup quarterfinal soccer match at Pascual Guerrero Olympic stadium in Cali, Colombia, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Dutch players celebrate defeating Colombia in a penalty shoot-out of a U-20 Women's World Cup quarterfinal soccer match at Pascual Guerrero Olympic stadium in Cali, Colombia, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill eyes a ball during a team practice session, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill eyes a ball during a team practice session, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

A participant competes in the dressage event at the first German Hobby Horsing Championship in Frankfurt, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

A participant competes in the dressage event at the first German Hobby Horsing Championship in Frankfurt, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

Philadelphia Phillies' Kody Clemens, right, is doused by teammates Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh after hitting a walkoff single off Tampa Bay Rays' Garrett Cleavinger during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

Philadelphia Phillies' Kody Clemens, right, is doused by teammates Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh after hitting a walkoff single off Tampa Bay Rays' Garrett Cleavinger during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason (24) is tackled New York Jets safety Chuck Clark, front left, linebacker Jamien Sherwood, bottom left, safety Tony Adams (22) and defensive end Jalyn Holmes, top, during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason (24) is tackled New York Jets safety Chuck Clark, front left, linebacker Jamien Sherwood, bottom left, safety Tony Adams (22) and defensive end Jalyn Holmes, top, during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Seattle Sounders midfielder Albert Rusnák moves the ball against Sporting Kansas City midfielder Rémi Walter, left, during the first half of an MLS soccer match Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seattle Sounders midfielder Albert Rusnák moves the ball against Sporting Kansas City midfielder Rémi Walter, left, during the first half of an MLS soccer match Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Colton Herta celebrates after winning an IndyCar auto race Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Colton Herta celebrates after winning an IndyCar auto race Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Nebraska fans cheer for the defense as they play against Northern Iowa during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)

Nebraska fans cheer for the defense as they play against Northern Iowa during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)

Houston Astros' Jason Heyward walks through the dugout during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Houston Astros' Jason Heyward walks through the dugout during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Europe's Carlota Ciganda hits from the third tee during a Solheim Cup golf tournament foursome match at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Gainesville, Va. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Europe's Carlota Ciganda hits from the third tee during a Solheim Cup golf tournament foursome match at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Gainesville, Va. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Washington State players run out onto the field before an NCAA college football game against Washington, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington State players run out onto the field before an NCAA college football game against Washington, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea said Thursday that leader Kim Jong Un supervised successful tests of two types of missiles — one designed to carry a “super-large conventional warhead” and the other likely for a nuclear warhead, as he ordered officials to bolster up his country’s military capabilities to repel United States-led threats.

The tests appear to be the same as the multiple missile launches that neighboring countries said North Korea performed Wednesday, extending its run of weapons displays as confrontations with the U.S. and South Korea escalate.

The official Korean Central News Agency said that Kim oversaw the launch of the country’s newly built Hwasongpho-11-Da-4.5 ballistic missile tipped with a dummy “4.5-ton super-large conventional warhead.” It said the test-firing was meant to verify an ability to accurately hit a 320 kilometer (200 mile) -range target, suggesting it’s a weapon aimed at striking sites in South Korea.

KCNA said Kim also guided the launch of an improved “strategic” cruise missile, a word implying the weapon was developed to carry a nuclear warhead.

After the tests, Kim stressed the need to continue to “bolster up the nuclear force” and acquire “overwhelming offensive capability in the field of conventional weapons, too," according to KCNA. It cited the Kim as saying that North Korea can thwart its enemies' intentions to invade only when it has strong military power.

KCNA released photos of a missile hitting a ground target. South Korea's military said later Thursday it assessed that both ballistic and cruise missiles fired by North Korea the previous day landed in the North's mountainous northeastern region.

North Korea typically test-launches missiles off its east coast, and it's highly unusual for the country to fire missiles at land targets likely because of concerns about potential damages on the ground if the weapons land in unintended areas.

Jung Chang Wook, head of the Korea Defense Study Forum think tank in Seoul, said North Korea likely aims to show it's confident about the the accuracy of its new ballistic missile with a high-powered warhead meant to attack ground targets. But Jung said North Korea hasn't acquired weapons that can penetrate deep into the earth and destroy underground structures.

The Hwasongpho-11-Da-4.5 ballistic missile's first known test occurred in early July. North Korea said the July test was successful as well, but South Korea's military disputed the claim saying one of the two missiles fired by North Korea travelled abnormally during the initial stage of its flight before falling at an uninhabited area near Pyongyang, the capital. North Korea hasn't released photos on the July launches.

North Korea has been pushing to introduce a variety of sophisticated weapons systems designed to attack both South Korea and the mainland U.S. to deal with what it calls its rivals’ intensifying security threats. Many foreign experts say North Korea would ultimately want to use its enlarged arsenal as leverage to win greater concessions in future dealings with the U.S.

Worries about North Korea deepened last week as it disclosed photos of a secretive facility built to enrich uranium for nuclear bombs. Since late May, North Korea has also floated thousands of trash-carrying balloons toward South Korea, prompting the South to resume anti-North loudspeaker broadcasts at border areas.

Follow AP’s Asia-Pacific coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/asia-pacific

A TV screen shows a file image of North Korea's missile launch during a news program at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

A TV screen shows a file image of North Korea's missile launch during a news program at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

A TV screen shows a file image of North Korea's missiles launch during a news program at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

A TV screen shows a file image of North Korea's missiles launch during a news program at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

A TV screen shows a file image of North Korea's missile launch during a news program at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

A TV screen shows a file image of North Korea's missile launch during a news program at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

A TV screen shows a file image of North Korea's missiles launch during a news program at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

A TV screen shows a file image of North Korea's missiles launch during a news program at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

This photo provided by the North Korean government, shows what it says a launch of an improved strategic cruise missile at an undisclosed place in North Korea Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

This photo provided by the North Korean government, shows what it says a launch of an improved strategic cruise missile at an undisclosed place in North Korea Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center, oversees a launch of, what it says, the country’s newly built Hwasongpho-11-Da-4.5 ballistic missile at an undisclosed place in North Korea Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center, oversees a launch of, what it says, the country’s newly built Hwasongpho-11-Da-4.5 ballistic missile at an undisclosed place in North Korea Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

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