Korean media: On the day of Trump's visit to South Korea... North Korea reports: "Cruise missile was launched yesterday"
¬ Provocative launch in the West Sea
According to confirmation on the 29th, North Korea conducted a ship-to-surface cruise missile launch provocation in the West Sea on the 28th. That is to say, on the day when US President Donald Trump visited Japan and boarded the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier George Washington, North Korea once again launched a missile provocation.
On the 29th, the Korean Central News Agency cited the North Korean Missile General Bureau's report that on the 28th, a sea-to-land (ship-to-surface) strategic cruise missile test was conducted at sea in the West Sea.
The KCNA reported: "The cruise missile was launched vertically, flew for more than 7,800 seconds along the predetermined route over the West Sea, and destroyed the target." The flight time was approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes, and other parameters such as flight distance were not mentioned. Kim Jong-un did not attend this test.
The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff stated: "Around 3 p.m. on the afternoon of the 28th, a cruise missile was found at sea in the northern part of the West Sea. South Korea and the United States intelligence agencies are conducting precise analysis of specific parameters." The Joint Chiefs said that they had previously been aware of North Korea's provocative actions. The Joint Chiefs said that North Korea usually immediately releases media announcements when it conducts ballistic missile provocations, but does not publicize cruise missile launches.
In response, National Power Party member Yeo Yong-won said: "The cruise missile publicly released by North Korea on that day is a Yangsuri series cruise missile that has been modified from ground-to-ground to ship-to-surface. It is speculated that it is the same model as the cruise missile publicly displayed on April 4th at the Defense Development-2025 event," "It is estimated that it uses a land-based vertical launch tube and is launched vertically. In the future, there may also be a test launch of the latest Choe Hyon class destroyers." Some experts believe that this ship-to-surface cruise missile may be equipped with tactical nuclear weapons.
The release of North Korea's report on the 29th coincided with the time of the Gyeongju Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Informal Meeting and the imminent visit of Trump to South Korea. The South Korea-US summit during the APEC period will also be held on that day.
At the same time, Trump continued to release messages about his willingness to restart dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. However, North Korea did not make an official response but instead released a report on the launch of a cruise missile.
On the day when North Korea launched the cruise missile, Trump visited the U.S. military base in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, and together with Japanese Prime Minister Asahi Hayato, boarded the U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier "George Washington."
Source: Chosun Ilbo
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1847315335101516/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself