North Korea test-fired four strategic cruise missiles

North Korea’s official news agency, the Korean Central News Agency, said that these missiles were fired towards the Sea of ​​Japan. “The exercise has once again clarified the combat posture of the nuclear combat force of the People’s Republic of Korea, which is fully reinforcing its lethal nuclear response capability against hostile forces,” the agency added.

North Korea first test-fired a long-range cruise missile system in September 2021. He has since referred to these weapons as strategic weapons. This suggests that they are being prepared to be equipped with nuclear warheads.

North Korea test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile on Saturday before testing strategic cruise missiles on Friday, and then on Monday two short-range missiles off its east coast, also known as the Sea of ​​Japan. Missiles were tested.

The United States and South Korea held “tabletop” exercises in Washington on Wednesday, focusing on countermeasures in the event of North Korea’s possible use of nuclear weapons.

“In view of the recent aggressive nuclear policy of the People’s Republic of Korea and the development of nuclear capabilities, the focus is on the possibility of North Korea using military weapons,” a joint statement said. “The parties confirmed that the alliance is fully prepared to respond to North Korea’s nuclear threats,” the statement added.

South Korea’s defense ministry said in a statement that they focused on sharing information on ballistic missile target information, detection, tracking and interception. The US and South Korea have planned more military exercises in the coming weeks.

North Korea has for decades described annual US-South Korean military drills as exercises for a possible attack against it, although the US and its allies say the drills are defensive in nature.