This combination of photos provided by the North Korean government on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, shows long-range cruise missiles tests held on Sept. 11 -12, 2021 in an undisclosed location of North Korea. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)
OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 7:50 PM PT – Sunday, September 12, 2021
North Korea announced it has tested a new cruise ballistic missile as part of its ongoing nuclear program. According to Pyongyang’s state newspaper “Worker’s Daily,” on Monday local time the projectile was launched over the weekend and it traveled more than 900 miles before crash-landing at an unknown location. The report added the missile spent a total of 1.5 hours in the air.
“Cruise missiles are often detected after the tests are conducted for their low flight altitudes. North Korea had conducted two cruise missile tests already this year, but we did not disclose them as we do not disclose all cruise missile tests we detect,” said a South Korean Defense Ministry official.
US military statement on North Korea announcing a long range cruise missile test. pic.twitter.com/Gi84mg8jB8
— Idrees Ali (@idreesali114) September 13, 2021
The launch was first reported by South Korean media and it comes after a two-year pause in Pyongyang’s missile program under President Donald Trump between 2018 and 2020. North Korea did not mention Kim Jong Un in the report, saying the test launch was overseen by a senior Politburo member.
The Indo-Pacific Command suggested other countries keep an eye on the missile activity.
“This activity highlights DPRK’s continuing focus on developing its military program and the threats that poses to its neighbors and the international community,” the Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement.
