North Korea launch long-range missiles that give Kim Jong Un ‘great satisfaction’

The country has fired long-range cruise missiles as a ‘responsible exercise of the right to self-defense and war deterrence’ in the face of external security threats

North Korea has fired long-range strategic cruise missiles into the sea to test the country’s nuclear deterrence. The official Koreon Central News Agency reported that the missile launches occurred off the country’s west coast on Sunday, December 29.

The firing was in the presence of Kim Jong Un and comes just days after the country announced progress in the construction of its first nuclear-powered submarine.

The news company said that the leader showed “great satisfaction” over the launches and and claimed that testing the weapons is ““just a responsible exercise of the right to self-defense and war deterrence” in the face of external security threats.

South Korea have said they maintain a readiness to repel any potential incitement from North Korea due to their alliance with the United States. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said it knew of the several cruise missile launches made from North Korea’s capital region on Sunday morning.

Due to U.N Security Council resolutions, North Korea is prohibited from launching its huge stockpile of ballistic missiles. Although tests aren’t banned they still pose a threat to the US and South Korea as they are highly manoeuvrable and fly at low altitudes to steer clear of radar detection.

Analysts claim that North Korea would aim to use cruise missiles to strike the US’ warships and aircraft carriers in the even of war. The test on Sunday follows the test last week by the country to launch new anti-air missiles off its east coast, displaying photos showing a largely completed hull of a developmental nuclear-powered submarine.

North Korea implied it would arm the submarine with nuclear missiles. This weapon is among the country’s sophisticated weapon system that the leader has promised to introduce to combat security threats from the US.

It is believed by some that North Korea’s recent alignment with Russia may have helped it to gain crucial technologies. The country may further increase its weapons demonstrations ahead of planned Workers’ Party congress early next year.

North Korea has concentrated on weapons-testing activities to expand its nuclear arsenal since Kim’s high-stakes nuclear diplomacy with U.S. President Donald Trump collapsed in 2019. The leader said he could return to talks with Trump in September if the US drops “its delusional obsession with denuclearization” of North Korea.