North Korea Conducts Strategic Cruise Missile Launch Drill

North Korea's Korean People's Army (KPA) conducted a strategic cruise missile launch drill over the West Sea of Korea on the morning of February 26.

According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the test, supervised by Kim Jong-un, involved strategic cruise missiles and aimed to demonstrate North Korea's "powerful striking ability."

The missiles flew 1,587 kilometers before hitting their targets. The KCNA stated that the launch was a warning to enemies escalating tensions.

South Korea's military confirmed detecting the missile launches and is closely monitoring North Korean activity, maintaining a defense posture in coordination with the U.S.

This test is seen as a response to the evolving U.S. policy under the Biden administration, which reaffirms its commitment to North Korea's denuclearization and strengthens trilateral relations between the U.S., South Korea, and Japan.

The launch also coincides with the upcoming South Korea-U.S. Freedom Shield exercise, which North Korea views as a potential rehearsal for invasion.