PYONGYANG: North Korea has tested its newly developed strategic cruise missiles for the second time in a week, state media reported on Monday.
According to State news agency KCNA, country’s Leader Kim Jong Un supervised the test of the submarine-launched cruise missile (SLCM).
The system called Pulhwasal-3-31, is similar to the strategic cruise missiles that the North last week said were under development.
State news agency KCNA said the missiles flew above the sea near east coast for 7,421 seconds and 7,445 seconds and hit a target, showing the flight time exceeded two hours.
Kim termed the test a success, which is of strategic significance in carrying out the plan for modernizing the country’s army.
Meanwhile, South Korea’s military has said that the North fired multiple cruise missiles near its coast but did not provide any further details.
Last week, the North Korea said it had tested a new strategic cruise missile, hinting it was designed to carry a nuclear warhead.
State media photographs on Monday showed a missile launching into a cloudy sky from the water.
North Korea’s cruise missiles are less controversial and are not prohibited under UN Security Council resolutions.
In recent months, the North Korea has tested a wide range of weapons that include advanced ballistic missile systems.
Kim inspects construction of nuclear submarine
KCNA said that Kim also inspected the construction of a nuclear submarine and discussed issues related to the manufacturing process.
Last year North Korea last year introduced its first operational nuclear attack submarine. Kim said North Korea would accelerate the program to build nuclear-powered submarines.
