North Korea raises tensions in Pacific: Kim Jong-un’s regime launches new cruise missiles

The North Korean regime took over Test firing of a new generation of strategic cruise missilesNorth Korea’s state press agency made the announcement on Thursday.

report of KCNA It did not specify the number of missiles tested, but it comes hours after the South Korean military announced that Pyongyang had launched several cruise missiles west of the Korean Peninsula.

According to the Kim Jong-un regime, this is a new generation Pulhavasal-3-31 type strategic cruise missiles.

He also assured that Wednesday’s tests were “a process of continuous updating of weapon systems and a regular and mandatory activity,” KCNA added.

“The firing tests do not affect the security of neighboring countries and have nothing to do with the regional situation”The agency added.

The firing took place at 7:00 a.m. local time (22:00 GMT on Tuesday) this Wednesday, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), which is analyzing the details, indicated.

This is Pyongyang’s first cruise missile launch since September 2023When it tested two long-range strategic missiles with simulated nuclear warheads in the same area.

The North Korean regime has stepped up its weapons tests so far this year, including tests of what it calls an “underwater nuclear weapons system” and a solid-fueled hypersonic ballistic missile.

Unlike ballistic missiles, cruise missile tests are not prohibited under UN sanctions against North Korea.

Cruise missiles are usually jet-powered and fly at lower altitudes than ballistic missiles, making them harder to detect and intercept.

The new launch comes as South Korea conducts a 10-day special forces infiltration exercise off its east coast. “In light of the grave security situation” with the North.According to the South Korean Navy.

The Korean Peninsula is experiencing a moment of high tension following the expiration of a 2018 inter-Korean agreement aimed at reducing military presence and drills in border areas, after Pyongyang conducted live-fire maneuvers near the western sea border earlier in the month. .

South Korea’s military has already said it will resume artillery fire and border exercises in response.

In response to stress, The United States, South Korea and Japan are expanding their joint military exercisesWhat Kim describes as a rehearsal for an invasion, and has fine-tuned his deterrence strategies around US nuclear-capable assets.

North Korea said last week it had tested a suspected nuclear-capable underwater attack drone in response to joint naval exercises by the United States, South Korea and Japan, while continuing to blame its rivals for tensions in the region.

From 2021, Pyongyang has conducted several flight tests It describes it as a long-range cruise missile, which it claims can travel up to 2,000 kilometers and has a nuclear capability.

Analysts argue that the North could try to reduce the South’s weight in the regional nuclear standoff and eventually push for direct talks with Washington in an effort to strengthen its nuclear position.

(With information from AFP and AP)