North Korea Conducts Launch of Long-Range Strategic Cruise Missiles

North Korea has reportedly executed a successful launch of multiple sea-based long-range strategic cruise missiles, as announced by the state-controlled Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Sunday. This test occurs amid ongoing regional tensions and shortly after the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump.

According to KCNA, the missile launch, which took place on Saturday, involved an unspecified number of projectiles that successfully struck targets located 1,500 kilometers away. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, along with other high-ranking officials, oversaw the test, which was described as a measure to enhance the country's strategic deterrence capabilities against perceived adversaries.

The report emphasized that the missile test did not negatively impact the security of neighboring nations. South Korea's military corroborated the missile launches, indicating that several cruise missiles were fired from an inland region towards the Yellow Sea. South Korean and U.S. intelligence agencies are currently analyzing the details of the launch.

The imagery released by the North Korean government shows the testing of sea-to-surface strategic cruise guided weapons at an undisclosed location in the country on January 25, 2025.

This missile launch follows accusations from North Korea's Foreign Ministry, which criticized the United States and South Korea for escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula through their joint military exercises. The ministry condemned what it termed as the "endless expansion of the military alliance system" led by Washington.

Additionally, the North Korean Foreign Ministry asserted that the current situation necessitates Pyongyang to adopt a robust response against the U.S. unless it acknowledges North Korea's security needs and sovereignty. This launch marks the first missile test conducted by North Korea since Trump's inauguration on January 20, a period during which the U.S. president had expressed intentions to engage with Kim Jong-un.

During his previous term, Trump made history by becoming the first sitting U.S. president to visit North Korea, having met with Kim several times. However, these high-profile meetings did not culminate in any substantial agreements regarding the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

In recent months, North Korea has persistently tested its missile systems, often in response to joint military drills conducted by the U.S. and South Korea, which Pyongyang perceives as rehearsals for an impending invasion. Conversely, Washington and Seoul maintain that these military exercises are defensive in nature and aimed at reinforcing regional security.