North Korea Successfully Launches New Long-Range Cruise Missile: KCNA
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – North Korea successfully carried out tests of a new long-range cruise missile over the weekend, the state-run Korean Central News Agency said Monday, in what appears to be the country's first missile test since late March.
The tests were carried out over the course of two days, on Saturday and on Sunday, North Korea’s state KCNA news agency reported.
As part of the tests, the missiles destroyed targets some 1,500 km (930 miles) away from the launch site and fell into the country's territorial waters.
Pyongyang hailed the tests as success, claiming that the launch has confirmed all the technical features of the new weapon, including the power of its propulsion system, the missile’s controllability and its accuracy.
The tests, which came days after North Korea staged a military parade in Pyongyang last week on the 73rd anniversary of the nation's founding, is believed to have been aimed at generating national unity, some foreign affairs experts say.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reportedly did not oversee the launch. Instead, an array of high-profile party and military officials were present at the tests.
Pak Jong Chon, a close aide to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, observed the missile test, the news agency said. He was reportedly promoted to the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea earlier this month.
"The efficiency and practicality of the weapon system operation was confirmed to be excellent," KCNA said, adding that development has been pushed forward for the past two years.
Pak was quoted by the news agency as saying, "This is another great manifestation of the tremendous capabilities of the defense science and technology and the munitions industry of our country."
The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement that it will "continue to monitor the situation and are consulting closely with our allies and partners" including South Korea and Japan.
The latest activity highlights North Korea's "continuing focus on developing its military program and the threats that poses to its neighbors and the international community," the command said.
Pyongyang has repeatedly threatened to resume testing of long-range missiles after denuclearization talks with former US President Donald Trump fell through. The negotiations stalled after Washington refused to offer partial relief of sanctions, demanding Pyongyang dismantle its nuclear program first.
The soured relations did not warm up under the President Joe Biden administration, despite its declared efforts to meet North Korean officials at any place and time. North Korea has spoken dismissively about diplomatic advances on part of Washington, demanding the US reverses its “hostile policy” as a starter.
