Military
North Korea announces long-range cruise missile test
This footage, provided by North Korea’s state news agency KCNA, is said to show the launch of a strategic cruise missile. photo
© Uncredited/KCNA/KNS/dpa
North Korea has recently tested more missiles. Now there are reports of another shooting. South Korea and the US have picked up the incident. Details would be evaluated, it said.
North Korea has said it has tested several military guided missiles to strengthen its nuclear deterrent. Four long-range cruise missiles were fired eastwards towards the open sea on Thursday, the state media of the country, which is isolated because of its nuclear weapons program, reported on Friday. Through such exercises, the “capacity for a deadly nuclear counterattack” is strengthened. After a flight time of around two hours and 50 minutes, the missiles hit their targets 2,000 kilometers away.
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.
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.