Wonsan: North Korea announced it conducted a test of an intermediate-range strategic missile, overseen by leader Kim Jong Un, as part of efforts to enhance its nuclear deterrent and strategic weapons capabilities.
According to Qatar News Agency, the missile, launched from eastern North Korea, successfully hit a target 1,000 kilometers away in waters off the country's east coast. The test aimed to train units operating a hypersonic strategic weapons system and evaluate the reliability of North Korea's deterrence capabilities.
South Korea's military reported detecting the missile launch from the Wonsan area early Saturday, noting it traveled over 700 kilometers toward the East Sea. The Joint Chiefs of Staff in Seoul stated that South Korea and the United States closely monitored the launch.
The missile test occurred amid escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula, following a landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone last month that injured three South Korean soldiers. South Korea has accused North Korea of responsibility for the incident, a claim Pyongyang denies.
Kim Yo Jong, sister of Kim Jong Un and a senior Workers' Party official, criticized South Korea and Japan for allegedly failing to track the missile's trajectory accurately, highlighting perceived shortcomings in their tracking systems.
Kim Jong Un emphasized the necessity for North Korea to continue strengthening the effectiveness and lethality of its strategic offensive weapons as part of the country's nuclear deterrent development. The missile test followed Kim Yo Jong's rejection of South Korea's demand for an apology over the landmine incident, calling the accusation baseless.
North Korea has conducted over ten missile launches since the beginning of the year.