North Korea has carried out a test launch of two strategic long-range cruise missiles, state media reported on Monday. The country described the drill as a display of “combat readiness” against what it called foreign threats.
The exercise was supervised by leader Kim Jong Un and took place on Sunday over the Yellow Sea, west of the Korean Peninsula. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim used the occasion to call for “unlimited and sustained” development of North Korea’s nuclear weapons.
Purpose of the missile drill
KCNA said the main aim of the exercise was to examine the country’s “counter-offensive response posture and combat capability of long-range missile sub-units.”
The missiles stayed in the air for more than two hours before hitting their targets. State media also released photos showing the missiles being launched and striking a target.
South Korea confirms launch location
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were fired at 8 am on Sunday (2300 GMT Saturday) from the Sunan area near Pyongyang, North Korea’s capital.
KCNA quoted Kim as saying Pyongyang “would as ever devote all their efforts to the unlimited and sustained development of the state nuclear combat force.”
Recent military developments
North Korea last tested a ballistic missile in early November, about a week after US President Donald Trump, who was visiting the region at the time, said he was open to meeting Kim Jong Un. Pyongyang did not respond to that offer.
Around the same time, Trump had approved South Korea’s plan to build a nuclear-powered submarine.
Last week, North Korea showed images of its own nuclear submarine. Photos released by KCNA showed Kim walking beside a submarine said to weigh 8,700 tonnes at an indoor facility, accompanied by officials and his daughter Kim Ju Ae.
Kim warned that Seoul’s move to develop nuclear submarines would be seen as “an offensive act severely violating its security and maritime sovereignty,” according to KCNA.
Rising missile activity and global concerns
North Korea has greatly increased its missile tests in recent years. Experts believe this is to improve its precision strike ability, challenge the United States and South Korea, and possibly test weapons that could later be sent to Russia.
Since Kim’s 2019 summit with Trump collapsed over disagreements on nuclear disarmament and sanctions, Pyongyang has repeatedly declared itself an “irreversible” nuclear state.
Kim has also been strengthened by closer ties with Russia, which has provided key support after North Korea sent thousands of troops to fight alongside Russian forces.
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