North Korea Conducts Strategic Cruise Missile Test to Enhance Nuclear Deterrent

North Korea has confirmed the successful test launch of a strategic cruise missile aimed at strengthening its nuclear deterrent capabilities, according to state media reports, including the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The test, conducted in late January 2025, marks another display of Pyongyang’s military prowess, which North Korean authorities assert is essential for countering perceived threats from the United States and its allies.

Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un personally oversaw the missile launch, underscoring its strategic significance for national security. The missile was fired from an underwater platform, traveling approximately 1,500 kilometers over the course of more than two hours before successfully striking its designated target. North Korea characterized the test as part of a broader initiative to enhance its military arsenal to “deter enemy aggression.” Kim expressed satisfaction with the outcomes, asserting that the development significantly bolsters the nation’s defense capabilities.

State media emphasized that the missile launch posed no threat to neighboring countries, though such claims are often met with skepticism on the global stage. This latest test is part of a series of missile trials that North Korea has conducted since the start of the year. Earlier in January, the regime tested a hypersonic ballistic missile, which elicited strong responses from South Korea and Japan.

Experts note that the current cruise missile is a modernized variant capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, posing a potential risk to U.S. military installations in the region, including aircraft carriers. Military analysts highlight that the development complicates missile defense strategies, as cruise missiles are typically more challenging to intercept due to their maneuverability and lower flight paths.

These missile tests occur amid deteriorating relations with the West. In December 2024, the United States and its allies imposed new sanctions on North Korea in response to its alleged supply of ballistic missiles to Russia, which Washington claims violates UN resolutions. In retaliation, Pyongyang accuses the U.S. of heightening tensions on the Korean Peninsula, citing joint military exercises involving the U.S., South Korea, and Japan. Kim Jong-un has consistently maintained that nuclear weapons are essential for safeguarding the country’s sovereignty against “imperialist ambitions.”