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DPRK fires strategic cruise missiles, vows tough stance on U.S.

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The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) conducted a strategic cruise missile test on Saturday, state media outlet KCNA reported on Sunday.

The country's leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the test, according to the report, which described it as a test-fire of an "important weapon system."

The underwater-to-surface strategic cruise missiles traveled 1,500 kilometers and flew for between 7,507 and 7,511 seconds before hitting their targets, KCNA reported.

DPRK vows 'counteraction' against U.S.

In a separate KCNA report on Sunday, the DPRK's Foreign Ministry vowed the "toughest counteraction" against the United States as long as Washington "refuses" Pyongyang's sovereignty.

The military alliance and joint drills between South Korea and the U.S. were to blame for the growing tensions in the region, the ministry said in a statement carried by KCNA.

The statement came as U.S. President Donald Trump said during an interview on Thursday that he would reach out to Kim again after the two developed a working relationship in Trump's first term.

The DPRK's war deterrence means were being "perfected more thoroughly," Kim was quoted as saying, while the leader also vowed to continue efforts to strengthen its military.

"Kim Jong Un affirmed that the DPRK will always make strenuous efforts ... to perform its important mission and duty for defending sustainable and lasting peace and stability on the basis of more powerfully developed military muscle in the future."

The report said the missile test was part of plans to build national defense capabilities against potential enemies in line with changing regional safety circumstances.

Earlier this month, DPRK state media also reported that Kim oversaw a successful test of a new intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile.

(With input from Reuters)

(Cover: Leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Kim Jong Un attends the completion ceremony of the Sinpo City Shallow Sea Aquaculture Plant in South Hamgyong Province, December 28, 2024. /CFP)

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