US-South Korea War Training Begins Today, North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un Reviews Cruise Missile Launching On Warship

JAKARTA - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reviewed and oversees a direct approach to testing the launch of strategic cruise missiles according to state media reports Monday, as South Korea and the United States began annual military exercises.

Leader Kim visited the naval fleet stationed on the east coast to inspect trials aboard warships, KCNA said, without specifying its travel date, as reported by Reuters on August 21.

The launch aims to verify "ship combat functions and missile system features," while increasing the ability of sailors to carry out "attack missions in actual warfare," the Pyongyang state media said.

"The ship quickly reached the target without errors," the report continued.

Leader Kim is said to have praised the ship for maintaining high mobility and strong attack power, as well as constant preparedness to fight to overcome the sudden situation.

On board, Kim vowed to strengthen the navy by "an increase in combat efficiency and a complete modern means of attack and defense on the surface and underwater", KCNA.

"We will spur the modernization of weapons and naval equipment including the construction of powerful warships and the development of weapons systems on ships and underwater," he said.

"The Navy must really maintain constant mobility and continue to improve the ability for true war so that they can actively carry out their combat missions in unfavorable circumstances," he said.

The latest missile test comes as South Korea and the United States begin a summer exercise of 'Ulchi Freedom Shield' on Monday, which is designed to increase their shared response to North Korea's growing nuclear and missile threats.

Pyongyang itself has denounced allied military exercises as training for the nuclear war.

The South Korean military said this year's drills would be held in "the largest scales ever", deploying tens of thousands of troops from both sides, as well as several UN member states.

South Korean lawmakers said North Korea might fire intercontinental ballistic missiles or take other military action to protest against allied training or the South Korean summit, the United States and Japan last week.

Separately, North Korea has been constantly testing what it calls a "strategic cruise missile" since late 2021. Some analysts say the missiles can be equipped with nuclear warheads.

While modernizing and strengthening its naval powers, North Korea also showcased a new nuclear-capable underwater attack drone in March.