North Korea Test-Fires Multiple Cruise Missiles Amid South-US Drills

North Korea test-fired multiple cruise missiles into the Sea of Japan on Wednesday, according to a report by the South Korean military.

South Korean and US intelligence authorities are analyzing the details of the missiles.

If confirmed, this will be the third cruise missile test-launch within a month.

The test-launch came two days after Pyongyang carried out a two-day military drill “simulating a nuclear counterattack” involving the launch of ballistic missiles.

The drills were the fourth in a week amid the largest US-South Korea military exercise in five years and the sixth in a month. The 11-day exercise will continue until Thursday.

Strategic Cruise Missile Tests

On March 12, North Korea test-fired two submarine-launched cruise missiles into the sea, reportedly striking a target nearly 1,500 kilometers (932 miles) away.

This was the North’s first underwater strategic cruise missile test of a weapon capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

Pyongyang also test-fired four “Hwasal-2” strategic cruise missiles in February. The missiles demonstrated a range of 2,000 kilometers (1,242 miles) during the launches.