North Korea conducts artillery drill with 'strategic cruise missiles'

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un oversees the launch of strategic cruise missiles at an undisclosed location in Pyongyang on Feb. 26, 2025, in this photo belatedly released by the state-run Korean Central News Agency.

SEOUL, February 28 (AJP) - North Korea conducted an artillery drill earlier this week in waters off its west coast, North Korean state media reported on Friday.

According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), several strategic cruise missiles were launched and "precisely hit their targets" during the drill, which was observed by its leader Kim Jong-un last Wednesday.

The drill was aimed at demonstrating the North's "counterattack capability in any space and the readiness of its various nuke operation means," KCNA said. "What is guaranteed by powerful striking ability is the most perfect deterrence and defense capacity," it quoted Kim as saying.

Kim stressed the importance of strengthening the country's war readiness and deterrence through what he called a "reliable nuclear shield."
 

Missiles strike their targets during an artillery drill at an undisclosed location in Pyongyang on Feb. 26, 2025, in this photo belatedly released by the state-run Korean Central News Agency.

South Korean military authorities confirmed the same day they had detected signs of missile launches, which were fired around 8 a.m. on Wednesday.

This latest launch came after North Korea test-fired a sea-to-surface cruise missile in late January, coinciding with the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump for his non-consecutive second term.