Fri Feb 28 02:35:50 UTC 2025: ## North Korea Stages Long-Range Cruise Missile Drills, Kim Jong Un Oversees
**SEOUL, South Korea** – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally oversaw the launch of strategic cruise missiles on Wednesday, state media reported Friday. The drills, which involved missiles flying 1,587 kilometers (986 miles) over a 130-minute period, were conducted in the Yellow Sea, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
KCNA described the launches as a demonstration of North Korea’s “counterattack capabilities” and a warning to “enemies” perceived as threatening the country’s security. The missiles reportedly hit their targets with precision. Kim Jong Un expressed satisfaction with the drills, calling them a “responsible exercise” to showcase the reliability and power of North Korea’s nuclear deterrence.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed the launches, stating they had detected and tracked the missiles. This marks the fourth missile launch by North Korea this year and the second since the start of President Biden’s administration. The launches come amidst ongoing geopolitical tension in the region.
The KCNA statement emphasized the readiness of North Korea’s various nuclear operational means. While former President Trump expressed a willingness to re-engage with Kim, the current administration’s response to these latest missile tests remains to be seen.
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