North Korea Completes Test Of Large Cruise Missile Strength And Anti-Aircraft Missiles

JAKARTA - On Friday, February 2, North Korea fired a number of cruise missiles in off-shore areas of North Korea which they said were a test-force activity for the super-large cruise missile warhead and a test run of a new type of anti-aircraft missile.

"Trials in the Yellow Sea are carried out for the rapid development of technology in various aspects such as functioning, performance and operation of new weapons systems and are part of normal activity," the North Korean Missile Administration said in a statement delivered by the Korean Central News Agency.

However, as reported by ANTARA, Saturday, February 3, North Korea did not provide further details regarding the cruise missile detected by South Korea at 11.00 local time. This includes not conveying the number of missiles launched or how far the missile is flying.

Earlier, the South Korean military on Friday, February 2 also said it detected the launch of a number of cruise missiles at around 11.00 p.m. from North Korea's west coast.

The missile launch is North Korea's fourth cruise missile launch this year.

On January 24, North Korea conducted a test of a new strategic cruise missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead called Pulhwasal-3-31, for the first time. Then on Sunday (28/1), North Korea fired a cruise missile launched by a submarine off the east coast, then confirmed the missile was Pulhwasal-3-31s.

Hwasal means 'panah' in Korean and Pulhwasal means 'flood'. The jet engine-powered cruise missile, low-flying and maneuvering, making it harder to detect and intercept.