N. Korea test-fires sea-to-surface strategic cruise missile: KCNA
This picture taken on January 25, 2025 and released from North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) via KNS on January 26, 2025 shows North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un (R) overseeing the test-firing of a strategic cruise and guided weapon at sea (underwater), at an undisclosed location in North Korea. North Korea has test-fired sea-to-surface strategic guided cruise missiles, the country’s state news agency reported on January 26, adding that the weapons “precisely” hit their targets. (Photo by KCNA VIA KNS / AFP) / South Korea OUT / SOUTH KOREA OUT / SOUTH KOREA OUT / REPUBLIC OF KOREA OUT
—EDITORS NOTE— RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – MANDATORY CREDIT “AFP PHOTO/KCNA VIA KNS” – NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS – DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS / THIS PICTURE WAS MADE AVAILABLE BY A THIRD PARTY. AFP CAN NOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, LOCATION, DATE AND CONTENT OF THIS IMAGE — /
North Korea has test-fired sea-to-surface strategic guided cruise missiles, state news agency KCNA reported Sunday, adding that the weapons “precisely” hit their targets.
“The war deterrence means of the armed forces of the DPRK are being perfected more thoroughly”, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said as he oversaw Saturday’s test, the agency reported.
The missiles hit their marks after travelling along the 1,500-kilometre (930-mile) elliptical and figure-eight orbits, the report said, adding that there was “no negative impact on the security of neighbouring countries”.
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KCNA did not say where the test took place.
The weapons test by Pyongyang was the first since US President Donald Trump returned to the White House on Monday. Shortly before his inauguration, North Korea fired several short-range ballistic missiles into the sea.
Trump, who had a rare series of meetings with Kim during his first term in office, said in an interview aired Thursday that he would reach out to Kim again, calling the North Korean leader a “smart guy”.
This picture taken on January 25, 2025 and released from North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) via KNS on January 26, 2025 shows the test-firing of a sea-based (underwater) ground-to-ground strategic cruise guided weapon, at an undisclosed location in North Korea. North Korea has test-fired sea-to-surface strategic guided cruise missiles, the country’s state news agency reported on January 26, adding that the weapons “precisely” hit their targets. (Photo by KCNA VIA KNS / AFP) / South Korea OUT / SOUTH KOREA OUT / SOUTH KOREA OUT / REPUBLIC OF KOREA OUT
—EDITORS NOTE— RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – MANDATORY CREDIT “AFP PHOTO/KCNA VIA KNS” – NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS – DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS / THIS PICTURE WAS MADE AVAILABLE BY A THIRD PARTY. AFP CAN NOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, LOCATION, DATE AND CONTENT OF THIS IMAGE — /
The two Koreas remain technically at war since the 1950 to 1953 conflict ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty.
Relations between Pyongyang and Seoul have been at one of their lowest points in years, with the North launching a flurry of ballistic missiles last year in violation of UN sanctions.
On Sunday, KCNA carried a statement from North Korea’s foreign ministry criticising Washington and Seoul for carrying out joint military drills in recent days.
“The reality stresses that the DPRK should counter the US with the toughest counteraction from A to Z as long as it refuses the sovereignty and security interests of the DPRK,” the statement said, referring to North Korea by its official acronym.
“This is the best option for dealing with the US.”
Such joint military exercises regularly infuriate the nuclear-armed North, which decries them as rehearsals for invasion.
In late October, North Korea test-fired what it said was its most advanced and powerful solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). It then fired a salvo of short-range ballistic missiles days later.
US and South Korean intelligence also believe that North Korea started in October to send thousands of troops to fight against Ukraine and has since suffered hundreds of casualties.
Neither North Korea nor Russia has officially confirmed that Pyongyang’s forces are fighting for Moscow.
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