SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised a test-launch of strategic cruise missiles and ordered full readiness to utilize nuclear attack capabilities to ensure the most effective defense for the country, state media announced on Friday.
The test was designed to warn “enemies, who are seriously violating the security environment of the (country) and fostering and escalating the confrontation environment” and to demonstrate “readiness of its various nuke operation means,” the KCNA news agency reported.
According to KCNA, Kim stated, “What is guaranteed by powerful striking ability is the most perfect deterrence and defense capacity.” The missile launch was conducted on Wednesday over the sea off the west coast of the Korean Peninsula.
South Korea’s military reported on Friday that it had detected signs of missile launch preparations on Wednesday and tracked several cruise missiles after they were launched around 8 a.m. local time (2300 GMT Tuesday) over the sea.
North Korea has been developing strategic cruise missiles for several years, intended to deliver nuclear warheads. This type of missile typically evokes less alarm and condemnation from the international community than ballistic missiles since they are not formally prohibited under U.N. Security Council resolutions.
The Security Council has banned North Korea from developing ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons, imposing numerous sanctions for violations. The report of the missile test emerged in the same week that Kim made consecutive visits to military schools, emphasizing loyalty and the importance of ideological and tactical training for young military officers.
While Kim did not name any country specifically when issuing warnings to enemies, he has maintained a harsh rhetoric against the United States and South Korea, despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments about reaching out to him. Trump and Kim held unprecedented summit meetings during the U.S. president’s first term.
