North Korea test-fired a ship-to-ground strategic cruise missile in the West Sea on the 28th, the Korean Central News Agency reported on the 29th.
The agency said, "Cruise missiles modified for ship-based launch were launched vertically and flew for more than 7,800 s (seconds) along a preset trajectory over the waters of the West Sea, destroying the target." The cruise missile flew for more than two hours, but North Korea did not mention the flight distance or other details.
With the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju approaching and U.S. President Donald Trump visiting Korea that day while expressing a willingness to meet Kim Jong-un, the missile launch drew attention to North Korea's intent.
Some assessed that the level was calibrated because the Chairperson did not observe this test launch and Vice Chairperson of the Party Central Military Commission Park Gwan-cheon did. Vice Chairperson Park said, "In line with the Party Central Committee's strategic intention to continuously expand the application space of war deterrent means, important results are being achieved in making our nuclear force practical."
The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said, "At about 3 p.m. the previous day, the military detected a cruise missile over the northern waters of the West Sea off North Korea," adding, "South Korea-U.S. intelligence authorities are conducting a detailed analysis of the specifications." It continued, "Under the U.S.-ROK combined defense posture, we are closely watching various developments in North Korea and maintaining the capability and posture to respond overwhelmingly to any provocation."