NORTH KOREA – North Korea (DPRK) has acknowledged conducting a test of its new strategic cruise missile on Sunday. A pair of missiles were launched from a submarine and directly monitored by the country’s leader, Kim Jong-un.
The government’s news agency, KCNA, reported on Monday (29/1/2024) that Kim Jong-un personally observed the second test launch of the cruise missiles known as “Pulhwasal-3-31.” The twin missiles are said to be identical to the strategic cruise missiles that North Korea claimed were under development last week.
According to KCNA and the Rodong Sinmun newspaper, both missiles flew over the East Coast waters of North Korea for 7,421 seconds and 7,445 seconds, reaching an unspecified island target—indicating a flight time exceeding two hours.
Kim Jong-un, as reported by KCNA, deemed the weapon test successful. “This holds strategic significance in implementing plans to modernize the armed forces with the aim of building a strong Navy,” KCNA’s report continued. South Korea’s military stated on Sunday that North Korea fired multiple cruise missiles off its coast but did not provide further details. Last week, North Korea announced it had tested a new strategic cruise missile, suggesting it was designed to carry a nuclear warhead.
However, at that time, it was not mentioned that the missile was being developed for submarine launch. Photos released by the government media on Monday showed a missile launching into the cloudy sky from the water, followed by a plume of smoke obscuring the type of platform used for the launch.
North Korea’s ballistic missiles are usually more controversial and explicitly prohibited by UN Security Council resolutions.
However, analysts argue that medium-range cruise missiles are no less threatening than ballistic missiles and represent a serious capability for North Korea. In recent months, North Korea has tested a range of weapons, including developing ballistic missile systems and underwater drones.
Separately, Kim Jong-un inspected the construction of nuclear-powered submarines and discussed issues related to the production of a new type of warship, according to KCNA reports without providing details. Last year, North Korea launched what they claimed to be their first operational nuclear-powered attack submarine, which analysts believe is a modification of an existing submarine, likely designed to carry ballistic and cruise missiles.
Weapon experts express doubts about the practicality of such submarines in the real world—especially compared to more sophisticated land-based missile systems—due to their noisy diesel engines and limited range. At that time, Kim Jong-un stated that his country would expedite the development of nuclear-powered submarines.(clueworld)
Cecep Muhamad Yusup 
Redaksi