North Korea confirms launching more cruise missiles into the sea.

The launch on Friday marked the fourth such missile launch in just over a week by North Korea. "These tests are part of the normal operations of the General Bureau and the Defense Development Agency... aimed at promoting the technology of new weapon systems... and are unrelated to the regional situation," the KCNA news agency said.

A new surface-to-air cruise missile was launched off the west coast of North Korea on February 2, 2024. Photo: KCNA

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said that the U.S. and South Korean militaries are analyzing recent North Korean missile launches. They said the South Korean military detected multiple missiles, but did not immediately provide specific numbers or assessments of their flight paths.

This launch occurred hours after state media reported that Kim Jong Un continued to emphasize strengthening North Korea's naval power as he inspected a shipyard in Nampho on the country's west coast.

Kim Jong Un inspects a shipyard in Nampo, North Korea, on February 2, 2024. Photo: KCNA

During the inspection, Kim was briefed on the progress of naval projects as well as the remaining technological challenges, and ordered workers to "unconditionally" complete the tasks according to the plan extending to 2025, according to KCNA.

Last month, North Korea also conducted a test of a long-range cruise missile that it described as capable of carrying a nuclear warhead and having a range of up to 2,000 km, potentially putting US military bases in Japan within striking distance.

A South Korean K-9 self-propelled howitzer fires during a military exercise in Paju, South Korea, on February 2, 2024. Photo: AP

Meanwhile, the South Korean military said its task force concluded a 10-day training course with the U.S. Army on Friday in an area near the capital Seoul. In recent months, the two countries have held larger-scale exercises, including trilateral drills involving Japan.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is “increasingly concerned about what we have seen in the last few weeks… For his part, the Secretary-General will continue to call for de-escalation and a resumption of diplomatic dialogue.”

Hoang Hai (according to KCNA, Yonhap, AP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/trieu-tien-xac-nhan-phong-them-nhieu-ten-lua-hanh-trinh-ra-bien-post283487.html