According to the KCNA news agency, Mr Kim inspected one of his fleets in the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan, and watched the crew conduct a drill to launch a “strategic cruise missile”. The statement said the launch “quickly hit the target without any mistake”.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (R) inspects a cruise missile test-fire by a North Korean naval unit on August 20, 2023. Photo: KCNA
The announcement came ahead of the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, a major joint exercise between South Korea and the United States that will run until August 31. North Korea views such exercises as destabilizing to the region and has warned of an “overwhelming” response.
US Apache helicopters prepare for the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, 60 kilometers from Seoul, on August 20, 2023. Photo: Yonhap.
The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, based on an all-out war scenario, lasted 11 days with various exercises, such as a computer-simulated command post exercise, simultaneous field training and civil defense drills.
In addition to South Korea and the United States, personnel from nine member nations of the United Nations Command (UNC) will also participate in the exercise. These countries are Australia, Canada, France, Britain, Greece, Italy, New Zealand, the Philippines and Thailand, according to US Forces Korea.
Vehicles prepare for the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, 60 kilometers from Seoul, on August 20, 2023. Photo: Yonhap.
The announcement of North Korea's cruise missile test came just days after US President Joe Biden hosted South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at Camp David.
At a press conference on Friday, the leaders said they saw a “new chapter” of close trilateral security cooperation following the summit. It was the first time the three leaders had met in a standalone summit.
Bui Huy (according to KCNA, AFC, Yonhap)
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