North Korea Conducts Cruise Missile Test, Warns of ‘Strongest’ Response to US-South Korea Drills
North Korea carried out its third weapons test of the year on Sunday, launching a new cruise missile system while vowing the “strongest and toughest” countermeasures against ongoing joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea. Pyongyang denounced the drills as deliberate provocations aimed at destabilizing the region.
The latest test underscores North Korea’s continued defiance, even as U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated a willingness to reopen dialogue with Kim Jong Un. However, the missile launch and the accompanying threats signal that Pyongyang remains committed to a hardline approach, prioritizing military pressure over diplomacy.
North Korea conducted a test of sea-to-surface strategic cruise guided missiles on Sunday, with leader Kim Jong Un personally overseeing the launch. The use of the term “strategic” suggests that the missiles could potentially be nuclear-capable. According to state media, the missiles successfully struck designated targets after flying approximately 1,500 kilometers in elliptical trajectories, though these claims have not been independently confirmed.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) quoted Kim as saying that North Korea’s weapons capabilities are “rapidly advancing” and that the nation will continue to bolster its deterrence power to maintain stability and defend its sovereignty.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed the launches, reporting that several cruise missiles were fired into the country’s western waters. In response, Seoul reaffirmed its commitment to respond firmly to any provocations, emphasizing close coordination with the United States.
In a separate statement, North Korea’s Foreign Ministry accused Washington of engaging in “serious military provocations” through its ongoing joint exercises with South Korea. Pyongyang reiterated that such drills are perceived as rehearsals for invasion, despite US and South Korean assurances that the exercises are purely defensive.
The US and South Korea have intensified military training in recent months, citing North Korea’s growing nuclear arsenal as justification. Meanwhile, with President Trump beginning his second term, speculation has emerged over the possibility of renewed diplomacy between Washington and Pyongyang. Trump, who met Kim three times during his first term, has signaled openness to future engagement—though past talks collapsed in 2019 over disagreements regarding sanctions relief.
Trump recently referred to North Korea as a “nuclear power,” a comment that has stirred unease in Seoul about the potential softening of US policy on North Korea’s denuclearization. The latest missile test marks Pyongyang’s first known weapons launch since Trump’s return to office, underscoring persistent tensions despite earlier hopes for dialogue.
North Korea Conducts Strategic Cruise Missile Test, Warns of ‘Toughest’ Response to U.S.
North Korea carried out a strategic cruise missile test on Saturday, with leader Kim Jong Un personally overseeing the launch, according to state media outlet KCNA. The test involved underwater-to-surface cruise missiles that reportedly flew 1,500 kilometers and struck their targets after 7,507 to 7,511 seconds of flight. KCNA described the exercise as a “test-fire of an important weapon system,” signaling Pyongyang’s continued focus on strengthening its missile arsenal.
In a separate statement, North Korea’s Foreign Ministry warned of the “toughest counteraction” against the United States, blaming rising regional tensions on the joint U.S.-South Korea military drills and their expanding alliance. The ministry claimed that Washington’s refusal to respect North Korea’s sovereignty was fueling instability on the Korean Peninsula.
The missile test coincided with remarks from U.S. President Donald Trump, who said he intended to reopen dialogue with Kim Jong Un, referencing their previous engagement during his first term. Kim, in comments carried by KCNA, asserted that North Korea’s war deterrence capabilities are being perfected, pledging continued military advancements to ensure “lasting peace and stability.”
According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, North Korea launched multiple cruise missiles from inland regions toward waters off the country’s west coast around 4 p.m. (0700 GMT) on Saturday. The launch was part of North Korea’s broader efforts to enhance its defense posture amid shifting regional security dynamics.
Earlier this month, Pyongyang announced it had successfully tested a new intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile (IRBM), underscoring its ongoing push to diversify and modernize its weapons systems despite international sanctions.
Saturday’s test also marks the first major weapons launch since President Trump’s return to office. Before his inauguration, North Korea had already fired several short-range ballistic missiles into the sea. Trump, who met Kim multiple times during his previous term, referred to the North Korean leader as a “smart guy” and reiterated his willingness to engage diplomatically.
KCNA emphasized that the latest missile test did not endanger neighboring countries, though it withheld the exact testing site. The report stated that the missiles flew in elliptical and figure-eight trajectories before hitting their intended targets.
Tensions between the two Koreas remain high, as the 1950–1953 Korean War ended only with an armistice, not a peace treaty. North Korea has repeatedly condemned U.S.-South Korea military drills, viewing them as invasion rehearsals, while Washington and Seoul maintain they are defensive in nature.
Adding to the uncertainty, U.S. and South Korean intelligence reports suggest that North Korea has deployed thousands of troops to support Russia in Ukraine since October, with reports of significant casualties. Both Pyongyang and Moscow have so far declined to officially confirm any such military involvement.
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