Cruise missile test-launched by North Korea in image released on January 28
Yonhap news agency on February 14 quoted the South Korean military as saying that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) launched several cruise missiles into the East Sea, Pyongyang's fifth cruise missile launch this year.
The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) detected the missiles launched at around 9 a.m. on February 14 (local time) into the sea northeast of the Wonsan area, but did not provide details on the number.
"While strengthening surveillance and vigilance, our military has been closely coordinating with the US side to watch for further signs of North Korea's provocations," the JCS said.
North Korea has not made an official statement.
Leader Kim Jong-un watches the launch of a cruise missile from a submarine
Earlier on January 24, North Korea test-fired its new strategic cruise missile Pulhwasal-3-31 for the first time. This missile is believed to be capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.
On January 28, North Korea launched submarine-launched cruise missiles into the East Sea and continued to test-fire Hwasal-2 missiles twice from the west coast in the same week.
Cruise missiles are powered by jet engines and can fly low and turn, making them difficult to detect and intercept. In Korean, Hwasal means arrow and Pulhwasal means arrow of fire.
Experts say North Korea's unusually fast pace of cruise missile testing is aimed at improving the performance of nuclear-capable missiles, which could pose a serious threat to South Korea.
On January 13, the US mission to the United Nations called on "all" UN members to block the provision of financial services that could support North Korea's banned weapons program.
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