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North Korea test-fires cruise missile, implying readiness for nukes

North Korea's test-firing of the Pulhwasal-3-31, described as "strategic," suggests potential plans to equip it with nuclear warheads, further stoking anxieties among neighboring countries.

AP

A TV screen shows a report of North Korea's cruise missiles with file footage during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea. / Photo: AP

North Korea has conducted its first flight test of a new cruise missile, as it expands its military capabilities in the face of deepening tensions with the United States and neighbours.

The report in state media on Thursday came a day after South Korea’s military said it detected the North firing several cruise missiles into waters off its western coast.

It didn’t immediately provide more details about the number of missiles fired or their flight characteristics.

The North’s official Korean Central News Agency said the Pulhwasal-3-31 missile is still in its development phase and that the launch did not pose a threat to neighbours.

It described the missile as “strategic,” implying an intent to arm them with nuclear weapons.

Lee Sung-joon, spokesperson of South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that the missiles flew a shorter distance than previous North Korean cruise missile launches, which he said suggested that the North was trying to improve the performance of existing systems.

North Korea says tested 'underwater nuclear weapon system'

Growing ties with Moscow

The cruise missile launches were North Korea’s second known launch event of the year, following a January 14 test-firing of the country’s first solid-fuel intermediate-range ballistic missile, which reflected its efforts to advance its lineup of weapons targeting US military bases in Japan and Guam.

Yang Uk, an analyst at Seoul’s Asan Institute for Policy Studies, said North Korea is trying to highlight its diversifying arsenal of nuclear-capable weapons to increase pressure on rivals.

But the recent displays of new weapons systems came amid a slowdown in tests of short-range ballistic missiles, which could indicate inventory shortages as North Korea continues its alleged arms transfers to Russia, Yang said.

US and South Korean officials have accused North Korea of providing artillery shells, missiles and other supplies to Russia for its war in Ukraine, possibly in exchange for economic assistance and military technology.

North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un, who travelled to a Russian space launch centre in September for a summit with Russia's President Vladimir Putin, has been taking aggressive steps to strengthen ties with Moscow as he tries to break out of isolation and join a united front against Washington.

Both Pyongyang and Moscow have denied that North Korea was sending weapons to Russia.