Status: 02/24/2023 07:33 a.m
Just earlier this week, North Korea fired ICBMs towards the sea. State media are now reporting tests with long-range cruise missiles. The exercise is intended to “enhance the ability to launch a deadly nuclear counterattack.”
North Korea has said it has tested several military guided missiles to strengthen its nuclear deterrent. Four long-range cruise missiles were fired east towards the open sea on Thursday, reported the state media of the country isolated because of its nuclear weapons program.
According to the reports, such exercises increase the “capacity for a deadly nuclear counterattack”. After a flight time of around two hours and 50 minutes, the missiles hit their targets 2,000 kilometers away.
Always new missile tests
The General Staff in neighboring South Korea confirmed the weapons test. But there are differences between what South Korea and the US have recorded through their surveillance techniques and what North Korea has announced. Details are still under investigation.
Tensions are currently growing in the region. North Korea tested another ICBM last Saturday that could theoretically reach US territory. On Monday, North Korea launched two missiles that Japan and South Korea had identified as short-range ballistic missiles.
USA, South Korea and Japan react with maneuvers
On Wednesday, the United States held a joint missile defense naval maneuver with its allies South Korea and Japan. The general staff in South Korea had announced that the three countries had each sent their own destroyer to the exercise in international waters between the Korean peninsula and Japan. Through the exercise, they “strengthened security cooperation and strengthened their reaction systems.” During the exercise, targets were simulated using computers. Before that, there had been such a missile defense exercise by these countries last October.
North Korea is barred from testing any ballistic missiles by UN decisions. However, like ballistic missiles, cruise missiles can also be equipped with a nuclear warhead. Unlike ballistic missiles, guided missiles have their own permanent propulsion system.
Japan had requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council because of the ongoing North Korean missile tests. In May, the United States failed in the UN body with a resolution for stricter international sanctions against Pyongyang. Russia and China vetoed the vote in New York.