West Sea
South Korean military: North Korea fires several cruise missiles
This image provided by the North Korean government shows North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un and naval commander Kim Myeong-Uk watching a test launch of a newly developed Prufasal (Fire Arrow) 3-31 strategic anti-submarine cruise missile.
© kcna / DPA
According to South Korean sources, North Korea has fired several cruise missiles amid increasing tensions. The South Korean military has “increased surveillance in close coordination with the United States,” according to Seoul.
According to South Korean sources, North Korea has fired several cruise missiles amid increasing tensions. The South Korean General Staff said several unidentified cruise missiles were fired into the West Sea – the Korean name for the Yellow Sea – on Friday. The South Korean military has “increased surveillance in close coordination with the United States” and is closely monitoring whether there are signs of further activity by the North Korean army.
State media reported on Friday that the latest test came after Kim Jong Un inspected warships at a naval shipyard to bolster his naval forces as part of “war preparations.”
North Korea is carrying out more and more tests
“Strengthening naval forces is currently the most important issue in reliably defending the country’s maritime sovereignty and intensifying war preparations,” Kim said at the Nampho shipyard, according to state news agency KCNA. Kim expressed the expectation “that the shipyard workers will successfully build large warships on a world level.”
On Tuesday, Pyongyang said it tested a strategic cruise missile. On Sunday, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un also attended a test of two submarine-launched cruise missiles. According to KCNA, two Pulhwasal-3-31 missiles were tested. Pulhwasal-3-31 is a new generation of strategic cruise missile that North Korea said it tested for the first time last Wednesday.
Cruise missiles differ from ballistic missiles in that they have permanent propulsion. They fly lower and are therefore more difficult to detect and intercept. Unlike the test of ballistic missiles, North Korea does not violate existing UN sanctions by testing cruise missiles.
Relations between South and North Korea at a low point
Relations between South Korea and North Korea, which is largely isolated internationally, are currently at a low point. North Korea’s leader Kim wants to expand weapons development, including tactical nuclear weapons. In response, South Korea, Japan and the United States have increased defense cooperation and held joint military exercises.