On Sunday, December 28, North Korea conducted military exercises during which strategic long-range cruise missiles were launched in the western part of the Yellow Sea, as reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The country's leader, Kim Jong Un, observed the launch.
According to KCNA, the main objective of the launch was to assess the readiness of specialized units for a rapid counterstrike and to verify their combat capability. The missile operators practiced maneuvering actions and executing fire missions, as well as testing the reliability of strategic weapons. The launched missiles flew along a designated trajectory and reached their target, taking nearly 170 minutes.
Kim Jong Un described the exercises as successful and emphasized the need for further development of the country's nuclear forces, citing existing threats.
South Korean military officials, according to Yonhap, recorded the launches of several missiles from the Sunan area, located near Pyongyang, around 8:00 AM on December 28. It is expected that North Korea may conduct additional missile tests by the end of the year. It is also reported that Kim Jong Un is actively inspecting military facilities and exercises in anticipation of an important party congress scheduled for 2026, focusing on the country's achievements in defense.
We remind you that the previous missile launch took place on December 24, when North Korea tested new long-range surface-to-air missiles in the Sea of Japan.
