North Korea Launches Long-Range Cruise Missiles in First Test Under US President Trump
North Korea successfully test-launched several sea-based long-range strategic cruise missiles, as reported by the state-run KCNA agency on Sunday. This marks the first such launch since the inauguration of US President Donald Trump.
The test saw an unspecified number of projectiles travel approximately 1,500 kilometers to hit targets accurately. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and other senior officials observed the launch, which was aimed at enhancing the country’s strategic deterrence capabilities against potential enemies. The launch had no negative impact on neighboring countries’ security.
South Korea’s military confirmed the missile launches, detailing that multiple cruise missiles were fired from an inland area towards the Yellow Sea. The test is currently being analyzed by South Korean and US intelligence officials.
The launch comes amid ongoing regional tensions and follows North Korea’s Foreign Ministry accusing the US and South Korea of escalating tensions through their joint military drills. Pyongyang also criticized Washington for its ceaseless expansion of the military alliance system, stating that the situation requires a tough counteraction from them if the US refuses to consider North Korean security interests and sovereignty.
This is North Korea’s first missile test since Trump’s inauguration on January 20. During his predecessor’s term, Trump met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un several times in pursuit of denuclearization agreements, but these efforts did not yield concrete results.