North Korea says it launched cruise missiles in message to ‘enemies’

North Korea has conducted test launches of strategic cruise missiles as a message to “enemies” regarding its counterattack capabilities, according to state media.

The missile drills took place in the Yellow Sea on Wednesday, with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un overseeing the tests, which were confirmed by South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff later in the day.

The drills were aimed at sending a warning to countries seen as threatening North Korea’s security and contributing to escalating tensions. Pyongyang used the exercises to demonstrate its readiness to deploy nuclear-capable missiles, emphasizing the reliability and operational readiness of its nuclear deterrence. The missiles reportedly hit their targets accurately after flying for 130 minutes along a 1,587km trajectory.

Kim Jong Un expressed satisfaction with the results of the drills, calling it an important demonstration of North Korea’s war deterrence capabilities and an ongoing effort to test the reliability of its nuclear deterrent components.

This missile launch marks the fourth of its kind this year and the second since the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump. During Trump’s first term, he held three summits with Kim in an attempt to negotiate North Korea’s nuclear disarmament, though these talks did not yield a permanent solution.

Trump has expressed interest in continuing diplomatic engagement with Kim, stating in January that he had a good relationship with the North Korean leader, calling him “smart” and not a “religious zealot.”