2-2-2024 (SEOUL) North Korea fired several cruise missiles off its west coast, according to a statement from South Korea’s military on Friday, marking the fourth such missile launch in just over a week by Pyongyang.
The launch occurred at 11 am local time (0200 GMT), but further details regarding the nature of the missiles were not immediately provided by South Korean officials.
North Korea has referred to these missiles as “strategic” cruise missiles, suggesting their potential capability to carry nuclear warheads. Earlier in the week, North Korea announced the testing of its new submarine-launched cruise missiles (SLCM), with leader Kim Jong Un reportedly overseeing the tests personally.
UN Resolutions
While United Nations (UN) Security Council resolutions prohibit North Korea from testing ballistic missiles, there are no specific restrictions on cruise missiles.
Unlike ballistic missiles, which follow an arched trajectory at supersonic speeds and are unpowered during descent, cruise missiles typically travel at subsonic speeds and can operate at low altitudes. Their manoeuvrability makes them more challenging to detect and intercept.
Kim Jong Un has shown little interest in returning to negotiations regarding nuclear disarmament. Instead, he has unveiled a series of new weapons systems designed to potentially strike targets in the United States and its Asian allies.
Speculation has arisen regarding Kim’s intentions, with some analysts suggesting that North Korea may be gearing up for conflict. US President Joe Biden has warned Kim that any nuclear attack would result in the end of his regime.
In recent months, Kim has emphasized the importance of strengthening North Korea’s navy, which primarily consists of small warships and coastal submarines. South Korea’s intelligence agency cautioned in September that Russia had expressed interest in conducting joint military exercises with North Korea’s naval forces as part of increased cooperation between the two countries.
Testifying before the US Senate Armed Services Committee, Admiral Samuel Paparo highlighted the evolving relationship between Russia and North Korea. He noted that North Korea provides conventional weapons to Russia while receiving support from Moscow, including assistance in evading sanctions and potentially acquiring advanced technology.
The growing symbiotic relationship between Russia and North Korea presents strategic challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, Paparo emphasized during his testimony for reappointment as commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command.
