DPRK tests two long-range strategic cruise missiles

A TV screen showing a news program reporting about the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's missile launch with file footage, is seen at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, the Republic of Korea on Oct 4, 2022. (LEE JIN-MAN / AP)

SEOUL – The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) test-fired two long-range strategic cruise missiles on Wednesday under the on-the-spot guidance of its top leader Kim Jong Un, its official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Thursday.

ALSO READ: DPRK slams ROK-US joint drills for negative impact on region

The aim was to further enhance the combat efficiency and might of the long-range strategic cruise missiles deployed at the units of the Korean People's Army for the operation of tactical nukes and to reconfirm the reliability and technical safety of the overall operational application system, the report said.

The DPRK top leader stressed that the missile launches were "the practical verification and clear demonstration of the absolute reliability and combat capacity of our state's war deterrent," said the Korean Central News Agency

The missiles flew for 10,234 seconds before hitting the target 2,000 km away, said the KCNA.

READ MORE: DPRK conducts longest-range missile test yet over Japan

The DPRK top leader stressed that the missile launches were "the practical verification and clear demonstration of the absolute reliability and combat capacity of our state's war deterrent," said the KCNA.

The DPRK "should continue to expand the operational sphere of the nuclear strategic armed forces to resolutely deter any crucial military crisis and war crisis at any time and completely take the initiative in it," Kim was quoted by the KCNA as saying.

READ MORE: DPRK missile tests 'simulate striking ROK with nuke'

He also stressed that the DPRK should focus all efforts on "the endless and accelerating development of the national nuclear combat armed forces."