North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has overseen the launch of two long-range strategic cruise missiles, calling it a test to confirm the reliability and operation of nuclear-capable weapons deployed to military units.
The test firing was conducted on Wednesday, and was aimed at “enhancing the combat efficiency and might” of cruise missiles deployed to the Korean People’s Army “for the operation of tactical nukes, with “clearly hitting the target of 2,000 km away.”
Pyongyang first tested a “strategic” cruise missile in September 2021, which was seen by analysts at the time as possibly the country’s first such weapon with a nuclear capability.
Wednesday’s test confirms that nuclear role and that it is operational, although it is unclear whether North Korea can build warheads small enough for a cruise missile.
