North Korea has conducted test launches of strategic cruise missiles to demonstrate its counterattack capabilities, according to state media reports. The tests, overseen by Kim Jong Un, took place in the Yellow Sea on Wednesday, with South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff confirming they had tracked the launches.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) stated on Friday that the drills served as a warning to “enemies seriously violating the security environment of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and escalating confrontation.” The exercise also showcased the “readiness of its various nuclear operation means.”
The missiles reportedly flew for 130 minutes, covering a 1,587 km (986-mile) trajectory before precisely hitting their targets, KCNA said.
Kim Jong Un expressed satisfaction with the results, calling the tests a “responsible exercise” of North Korea’s war deterrence strategy. He emphasized the importance of regularly testing the reliability of the country’s nuclear deterrence to reinforce its military strength.
This launch marks North Korea’s fourth missile test this year and the second since the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump in January.
