SEOUL: North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un has overseen the launch of strategic cruise missiles as part of a drill, state-controlled media reported on Monday.
Kim watched seamen staging the drill during a visit to a naval unit of the Korean People’s Army (KPA), German news agency (dpa) quoted the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) as saying.
The test aimed at making “the seamen skilled at carrying out the attack mission in actual war, the ship rapidly hit target without even an error,” KCNA reported.
Observers see the test as a response to joint military exercises by South Korea and the United States, which were scheduled to kick off a major eleven-day summer manoeuvre on Monday.
The purpose of the exercises is to strengthen the alliance’s defence and response capabilities. North Korea regularly accuses the two countries of using their exercises to prepare for an attack – something Seoul and Washington deny.
UN resolutions prohibit North Korea from testing ballistic missiles of any range, some of which are capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.
Tests of cruise missiles are not subject to sanctions against Pyongyang. Such weapons, however, can also be used to deliver nuclear warheads.
After an unprecedented series of missile tests last year, North Korea has again tested nuclear-capable missiles several times this year. – BERNAMA-dpa
