North Korea Tests Cruise Missiles and Anti-Aircraft Missile, Raising Concerns
North Korea has conducted a series of weapons tests, including the launch of cruise missiles with new 'super-large' warheads and a new type of anti-aircraft missile. These demonstrations have raised concerns in neighboring South Korea.
The recent test, the fourth of its kind in 2024, involved the launch of multiple cruise missiles off North Korea's western coast. Images released by North Korean state media showed a low-flying cruise missile striking a target on a coastal shore, as well as another projectile being launched into the air from the ground.
By announcing the development of larger warheads for cruise missiles, North Korea may be trying to emphasize their intent to potentially arm these missiles with nuclear weapons. However, the specific details and number of missiles tested were not disclosed by the Korean Central News Agency.
Cruise missiles are part of North Korea's expanding arsenal designed to overcome regional missile defenses, supplementing their existing collection of ballistic missiles, including long-range weapons capable of reaching the continental United States. The country's focus on anti-aircraft missile technology aligns with its deepening military cooperation with Russia, as both nations face separate confrontations with the United States.
In January, North Korea tested a new submarine-launched cruise missile and a long-range cruise missile with a potential range of 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles), putting U.S. military bases in Japan within reach. These tests followed the launch of a new intermediate-range missile that highlighted North Korean efforts to develop weapons capable of targeting U.S. assets in the Pacific, including Guam.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has emphasized the importance of strengthening the country's naval forces to counter what he perceives as growing threats from the United States, South Korea, and Japan. This focus on a nuclear-armed navy aims to force the U.S. to accept North Korea as a nuclear power and negotiate security concessions and sanctions relief.
Although analysts generally downplay the likelihood of full-scale war, some caution that Kim could possibly attempt a limited-scale military provocation to contain and control the situation. One potential flashpoint is the disputed western sea boundary between North and South Korea, where past naval skirmishes have occurred.
As North Korea continues to enhance its military capabilities and strengthen ties with Russia, there are concerns about escalating tensions in this election year for both the United States and South Korea. Kim's long-term objective appears to be to negotiate from a position of strength, using his nuclear arsenal and Russia's support to press for concessions and relief from international sanctions.
