North Korea Test Fires Strategic Cruise Missiles: Report

SEOUL: North Korea test-fired strategic cruise missiles on Monday, according to state media, in a demonstration of its military prowess amid ongoing tensions on the Korean peninsula. The launch occurred a day after North Korea tested cluster bomb warheads, as tensions have escalated following a landmine explosion along their heavily fortified border, injuring three South Korean soldiers.

The cruise missile, fitted with a medium-sized dispersal warhead, is capable of destroying a target area between 5 to 6 hectares, according to the official Korean Central News Agency. The test reportedly improved the missile's terminal maneuverability, allowing for a more precise vertical strike against the target, taking into account the geographic and environmental factors of the targeted area.

A North Korean official stated that the test was conducted to safeguard the nation's security and deter any potential threats. The general director of the Missile Administration emphasized that these advanced weapons would bolster the DPRK's military capabilities and provide a stronger defense against external threats. North Korea has recently tested various military equipment, including attack drones, a new precision-guided torpedo system, and an intermediate-range hypersonic missile.

Unlike ballistic missile launches, North Korean cruise missile tests are not subject to UN Security Council sanctions. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff did not report the cruise missile launch, as they had not announced the previous day's test. Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesperson Jang Do-young stated that South Korea and the United States are closely coordinating and conducting a thorough analysis of the missile's characteristics and specifications.

The military's decision to announce the launch is based on a comprehensive military assessment, considering factors such as the protection of surveillance and reconnaissance assets, operational security, and other relevant factors.