SEOUL, Dec 30: North Korea announced on Monday that it test-fired long-range strategic cruise missiles into the sea to evaluate its nuclear deterrence capabilities, days after revealing apparent progress in constructing its first nuclear-powered submarine. The official Korean Central News Agency reported that the missile launches took place off the country’s west coast on Sunday in the presence of leader Kim Jong Un. Kim expressed “great satisfaction” over the launches and stated that testing North Korea’s nuclear deterrence reliability and demonstrating its strength are “just a responsible exercise of the right to self-defence and war deterrence” against external security threats. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed awareness of several cruise missile launches from North Korea’s capital region on Sunday morning. It said South Korea maintains readiness to counter any potential North Korean provocations through its alliance with the United States. UN Security Council resolutions ban North Korea from launches involving its ballistic missile stockpile. While cruise missile tests are not prohibited, they pose significant threats to the US and South Korea due to their high manoeuvrability and low-altitude flight capabilities that evade radar detection. Analysts say North Korea would deploy cruise missiles against US warships and aircraft carriers during conflict. Sunday’s launches mark the latest in a series of weapons displays by North Korea. Last week, Pyongyang test-launched new anti-aircraft missiles off its east coast and released photographs showing a largely completed hull of a developmental nuclear-powered submarine, with implications it would be armed with nuclear missiles. A nuclear-powered submarine is among numerous sophisticated weapons systems Kim has pledged to develop in response to what he characterizes as US-led security threats. Some experts suggest North Korea’s recent alignment with Russia—including deploying thousands of troops and military equipment to support President Vladimir Putin’s Ukraine campaign—may have facilitated crucial technology transfers in return. Observers anticipate North Korea could intensify weapons demonstrations ahead of its planned ruling Workers’ Party congress early next year. North Korea has concentrated on weapons-testing activities to expand its nuclear arsenal since Kim’s high-stakes nuclear diplomacy with US President Donald Trump collapsed in 2019.
