SEOUL—North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw a test launch of strategic cruise missiles and ordered complete preparedness to utilize nuclear strike capabilities, ensuring the country's most effective defense, state media said on Friday.
The test was aimed to warn "enemies who are seriously violating the security environment of the [country] and fostering and escalating the confrontation environment," as well as to display "readiness of its various nuclear operation means," according to the KCNA official news agency.
“What is guaranteed by powerful striking ability is the most perfect deterrence and defense capacity,” KCNA quoted Kim as saying.
“It is the responsible mission and duty of the DPRK’s nuclear armed forces to permanently defend the national sovereignty and security with the reliable nuclear shield by getting more thorough battle readiness of nuclear force and full preparedness for their use.”
DPRK is an abbreviation for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
The missile was launched on Wednesday over the sea off the Korean peninsula's west coast, according to the report.
South Korea's military said Friday that it observed missile launch preparations on Wednesday and monitored three cruise missiles after they were fired about 8 a.m. (2300 GMT Tuesday), across the sea.
North Korea has spent several years developing strategic cruise missiles capable of delivering nuclear bombs.
Because they are not legally prohibited by the United Nations, this sort of missile elicits less concern and censure from the international community than ballistic missiles do. Security Council Resolutions.
The Security Council has prohibited the North from developing ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons, as well as implemented a series of penalties in response to infractions.
The missile test report occurred during the same week that Kim made back-to-back trips to military colleges, emphasizing loyalty and the significance of ideological and tactical training for young military officials.
Kim did not identify any countries when he spoke of warning the adversaries, but he has continued to use severe rhetoric against the United States and South Korea despite statements from the US. President Donald Trump said that he will contact him.
During the first term of the US president, Trump and Kim staged unprecedented summit talks.
