State media: N Korea claims to have tested new type of cruise missile

DPA
·1 min read
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A TV at Seoul's Yongsan Railway Station shows North Korea's first test-firing of the new strategic cruise missile Pulhwasal-3-31. North Korea said it test-fired a new strategic cruise missile, named 'Pulhwasal-3-31,' for the first time the previous day in what was seen as an effort to strengthen capabilities to deliver nuclear weapons. Kim Jae-Hwan/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

North Korea has claimed to have tested a new type of cruise missile, state media reported on Thursday.

Pyongyang on Wednesday tested a new type of strategic cruise missile, the Bulhwasal-3-31, which is under development, the state-controlled media outlet KCNA said.

Pyongyang's pursuit of nuclear weapons has made it the subject of wide-ranging international sanctions.

UN resolutions prohibit North Korea from testing ballistic missiles of any range, some of which are capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

Tests of cruise missiles are not subject to sanctions against Pyongyang. Such weapons, however, can also be used to deliver nuclear warheads.

South Korea's military on Wednesday morning detected several cruise missiles launched by North Korea towards the open sea. Seoul didn't initially provide any further details.

Against the backdrop of the conflict over North Korea's nuclear weapons programme, tensions on the Korean Peninsula have increased significantly once again.

The United States and South Korea have stepped up their military cooperation, including joint manoeuvres, in response to multiple tests of nuclear-capable missiles by Pyongyang over the past two years.