North Korea’s General Staff Highlights Strategic Capabilities in Missile Training

On the 31st, North Korea officially confirmed that the cruise missile launched on the 30th was the Hwasal-2.

The Korean Central News Agency reported on the “strategic cruise missile launch training of the General Staff of the North Korean People’s Army” and conveyed this information. The General Staff of the People’s Army emphasized, “This training has contributed to auditing our army’s rapid counterattack posture and enhancing strategic striking capabilities.” Additionally, they clarified that it did not negatively impact the safety of neighboring countries. North Korea also released photographs of the Hwasal-2 strategic cruise missile flying at low altitude on the same day.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff of South Korea had previously announced on the 30th that North Korea had launched several cruise missiles into the West Sea at around 7 a.m. on the same day. Over the past week, North Korea had conducted multiple cruise missile launches, including the new strategic cruise missile Pulhwasal-3-31, which was launched into the West and East Seas on the 24th and 28th, respectively.