North Korea fires several cruise missiles from the east coast

According to South Korean information, North Korea fired several cruise missiles from the country’s east coast on Wednesday. The South Korean army discovered “several unknown cruise missiles over the waters northeast” of the North Korean port city of Wonsan this morning, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said. They therefore flew towards the sea between the Korean peninsula and Japan. It was initially unclear how many of these missiles were fired.

“We are increasing our surveillance and our armed forces are working closely with the United States. We are closely monitoring further signs and activities from North Korea,” said the South Korean General Staff.

Cruise missiles can be equipped with nuclear warheads

North Korea said on Monday it had tested a new missile launcher control system that is expected to lead to a “qualitative turnaround” in its defense capabilities. After the test carried out on Saturday, the new rocket launcher should now be “re-evaluated” and its role on the battlefield “expanded”, reported the state news agency KCNA.

Several international sanctions were imposed on largely isolated North Korea because of its missile and nuclear programs. Nevertheless, the country has tested a whole range of weapons in just the past few months. The leadership in Pyongyang justifies this with accusations against South Korea and the USA, which, in their view, are escalating tensions with large-scale maneuvers.

In contrast to ballistic missiles, tests of cruise missiles are not directly affected by the UN ban decisions against North Korea. However, like ballistic missiles, they can also be equipped with a nuclear warhead. Unlike ballistic missiles, guided missiles have their own permanent propulsion.

Relations between North Korea and South Korea at a low point

North Korea has recently increased its rhetoric against its neighbor South Korea and named Seoul its “main enemy.” Authorities for reunification and rapprochement with South Korea were closed and war was threatened in the event of the smallest territorial violations. Leader Kim Jong Un reiterated on Friday that Pyongyang would not hesitate to “put an end” to South Korea in the event of an attack.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has vowed a strong response in the event of an attack from North Korea, ordering the military to “act first, report later.” Yoon has expanded military cooperation with the USA and Japan, for example by expanding joint maneuvers.

Officially, North Korea and South Korea are still at war. After the end of the Korean War in 1953, an armistice agreement was sealed, but there is no peace treaty.