N. Korea test fires sea-to-land cruise missile

North Korea's Missile General Bureau conducts a test launch of a sea-to-ground strategic cruise missile on Jan. 25. KCNA/YONHAP

SEOUL, January 26 (AJP) - North Korea test-fired strategic cruise missiles on Jan. 25 under the guidance of leader Kim Jong-un, marking a significant development in its military deterrence capabilities, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Sunday.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement released at about 6 a.m. Sunday that North Korea fired multiple missiles from a land-based launch site into the West Sea, also known as the Yellow Sea, at approximately 4 p.m. Saturday. The JCS added that South Korea's intelligence agency is collaborating with its United States counterpart to analyze the launch.

The test, conducted by the DPRK Missile General Bureau, involved the launch of a sea-to-ground strategic cruise missile. According to KCNA, the exercise was part of a national defense development plan aimed at adapting to the region's changing security landscape and bolstering North Korea’s strategic deterrence against perceived adversaries.
 

North Korea's Missile General Bureau conducts a test launch of a sea-to-ground strategic cruise missile on Jan. 25. KCNA/YONHAP

Kim Jong-un personally observed the test, accompanied by Kim Jong-sik, a member of the Central Military Commission, and Jang Chang-ha, the Director of the Missile General Bureau.

KCNA reported that the missiles flew in an elliptical and "8"-shaped trajectory, covering a distance of 1,500 kilometers. They successfully struck their designated targets after a flight lasting 7,507 to 7,511 seconds. The agency also emphasized that the test posed no threat to the security of neighboring countries.

The launch comes amid rising tensions on the Korean peninsula, as North Korea continues to accuse the United States and South Korea of exacerbating instability through increased military drills and provocations.