Pyongyang: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the test-launch of strategic cruise missiles and emphasized the country’s full preparedness to use its nuclear capabilities for defense, state media reported on Friday.
According to the KCNA news agency, the missile test was intended as a warning to adversaries accused of destabilizing North Korea’s security environment and escalating tensions. The launch also served as a demonstration of the country’s nuclear readiness.
Kim stated that a strong strike capability ensures the most effective deterrence and defense. “The mission of our nuclear forces is to permanently safeguard national sovereignty and security through a reliable nuclear shield, ensuring full combat readiness and operational preparedness,” he said.
The missiles were launched on Wednesday over the waters off the Korean Peninsula’s west coast, according to KCNA. South Korea’s military confirmed it had detected preparations for a launch that day and later tracked multiple cruise missiles fired around 8 a.m. (2300 GMT Tuesday) over the sea.
North Korea has been developing strategic cruise missiles for years, intending to equip them with nuclear warheads. While these weapons typically attract less international condemnation than ballistic missiles, which are explicitly prohibited under U.N. Security Council resolutions, their advancement remains a concern.
The U.N. has imposed sanctions on North Korea for its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs, but cruise missiles are not formally banned under existing resolutions.
The missile test occurred in the same week that Kim visited military academies, where he underscored the importance of ideological and tactical training for young officers.
While Kim did not specify which countries the missile launch was meant to warn, he has frequently criticized the United States and South Korea. His stance remains unchanged despite former U.S. President Donald Trump’s past efforts to engage with him through high-profile summit meetings during his first term.
