North Korea Tests long-range Cruise Missiles

North Korea on Sunday test-fired two strategic long-range cruise missiles into the sea, with leader Kim Jong Un overseeing the drill, according to state media reports released Monday.

According to Korean Central News Agency, the missile launches took place over the Yellow Sea and were intended to assess the readiness and combat capability of long-range missile units. KCNA described the exercise as a review of the “counter-offensive response posture and combat capability of long-range missile sub-units.”

The report said Kim observed the test and issued guidance following the launch. “The government and ruling party of North Korea would as ever devote all their efforts to the unlimited and sustained development of the state nuclear combat force,” Kim said, according to KCNA.

South Korea’s military confirmed it detected multiple missile launches from the Sunan area near Pyongyang, Yonhap News Agency reported, citing military officials. The missiles were tracked after launch, and South Korean authorities said they were monitoring the situation closely in coordination with the United States.

The test appeared to be North Korea’s first long-range cruise missile launch since early November, according to regional media reports. Pyongyang last conducted a ballistic missile test on Nov. 6, shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump visited the region and publicly expressed interest in meeting Kim.

North Korean state media said the latest drill was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen what it calls its strategic deterrent forces. Cruise missiles, unlike ballistic missiles, typically fly at lower altitudes and can maneuver during flight, making them more difficult to detect and intercept.

KCNA did not release technical details about the missile type used in the test or the distance flown. The report focused on the leadership’s inspection of the exercise and the stated objective of improving unit-level combat readiness.

The launch comes amid sustained missile activity by North Korea over recent years, including tests of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and other delivery systems. Pyongyang has repeatedly said it considers itself an “irreversible” nuclear state following the breakdown of nuclear negotiations with Washington in 2019.

North Korea did not respond to Trump’s recent remarks about a possible meeting, and there has been no public indication of renewed diplomatic engagement between the two sides.