Overview
- State media said the sea-to-surface missiles were launched vertically and flew for more than 7,800 seconds before striking a target.
- Pak Jong-chon oversaw the test and framed it as strengthening a nuclear deterrent, while Kim Jong Un was not mentioned in coverage.
- South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff detected the launch at about 3 p.m. Tuesday and are analyzing technical details with U.S. counterparts.
- Analysts say the weapons appear to be Hwasal-type cruise missiles with an estimated 1,500–2,000 km range and possible deployment from new destroyers Choe Hyon and Kang Kon.
- The launches preceded President Trump’s visit for APEC meetings in South Korea, where he expressed openness to meeting Kim, though Seoul officials say such a meeting is unlikely.