North Korea test-fired two long-range cruise missiles over the Yellow Sea in a drill KCNA described as a demonstration of 'combat readiness.'
Leader Kim Jong Un supervised the exercise and urged the 'unlimited and sustained' development of the country's nuclear forces, KCNA reported. Seoul confirmed the launches from the Sunan area near Pyongyang, and analysts say the missiles' estimated ~2,000 km range could threaten the entire peninsula and rear US bases in Japan.
North Korea test-fired two strategic long-range cruise missiles on Sunday in an exercise state media described as a demonstration of the country's 'combat readiness' against perceived foreign threats.
The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that leader Kim Jong Un personally supervised the drill, which took place over the Yellow Sea to the west of the Korean peninsula. KCNA said the exercise aimed to assess the 'counter-offensive response posture and combat capability of long-range missile sub-units.' Photos released by the agency showed the missiles being launched and reportedly striking a target.
Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed the missiles were launched on Sunday at 08:00 a.m. local time (2300 GMT Saturday) from the Sunan area near Pyongyang. KCNA said the missiles remained in flight for more than two hours.
KCNA quoted Kim as urging an 'unlimited and sustained' expansion of the country's nuclear weapons forces. The test comes amid heightened tensions after North Korea displayed a submarine it described as nuclear-capable and after the United States' nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Greenville docked at Busan, South Korea — an action Pyongyang condemned.
Analysts say the missiles tested are believed to be 'arrow-type' cruise missiles with an estimated range of roughly 2,000 kilometres. Yang Moo-jin, former president of the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, told AFP that such weapons could reach across the entire Korean peninsula and potentially strike rear bases of US forces stationed in Japan. The launches follow a ballistic missile test in early November and come amid regional moves by South Korea to develop nuclear-powered submarines — plans approved by then-US President Donald Trump during a regional visit.
KCNA: 'Pyongyang would as ever devote all their efforts to the unlimited and sustained development of the state nuclear combat force.'
The drill underscores ongoing military signaling by Pyongyang and highlights continued security concerns in Northeast Asia as regional actors expand or modernize naval and deterrent capabilities.
