North Korea said it conducted a long-range strategic cruise missile launch drill over the West Sea with Kim Jong-un, chairperson of the State Affairs Commission, observing.
Korean Central News Agency reported on the 29th that in the missile launch drill carried out on the 28th, "the strategic cruise missiles flew along the designated flight trajectories over the West Sea of Korea for 10,099 seconds (about 2 hours and 50 minutes) and 10,203 seconds, respectively, and struck the targets with precision."
The agency said the purpose of the drill was "to inspect the counterstrike readiness and combat capability of long-range missile units, to train missile troops in procedures for maneuver and fire missions, and to check the reliability of precision strikes by the relevant strategic weapons system."
Chairperson Kim said it was "a practical verification and clear demonstration of the absolute reliability of our strategic counterstrike capability and combat power," adding, "Our Party and the government of the republic will continue to make an all-out effort for the infinite and sustained strengthening and development of the state nuclear combat force."
Kim went on to say that "routinely checking the reliability and rapid responsiveness of the components of nuclear deterrence and continuously demonstrating its power are themselves a responsible exercise of the right to self-defense in the current situation facing various security threats," stressing it is an "exercise of war deterrence."
An official at the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) also said that it detected several missiles launched around 8 a.m. on the 28th from the Sunan area near Pyongyang. The military authorities said North Korea may conduct additional missile tests around the year-end and New Year holidays.