Pyongyang successfully test-fires its cruise missile over weekend, state-run media says
ANKARA (AA) – North Korea has carried out a successful test of its new long-range cruise missile over the weekend, state-run media reported on Monday.
The Korean Central News Agency in a statement said the country’s Academy of Defense Science successfully test-fired a new type of long-range cruise missile on Saturday and Sunday.
“The launched long-range cruise missiles traveled for 7,580 seconds (126 minutes) along an oval and pattern-8 flight orbits in the air above the territorial land and waters of the DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) and hit targets 1,500 km (932 miles) away,” the statement said.
The latest missile test came after the last month’s US-South Korea joint military exercises opposed by Pyongyang, which termed them “a threat to their security.”
The joint military drills came a month after North Korea and South Korea restored cross-border communication lines that were cut off by Pyongyang in June last year.
North Korea severed communication with South Korea and also blew up an inter-Korean liaison office along the border in June 2020.
Earlier in January, just hours after US President Joe Biden took office, Pyongyang conducted a cruise missile test while later in March North Korea again tested a new tactical short-range ballistic missile.
Reacting to the North Korean move, Biden warned there would be “responses” if North Korea continues with such escalations.
In response, North Korea said Washington might face “undesirable happenings” if it continues its provocations and “habitual hostility” against Pyongyang.