ADDS DETAILS, CHANGES DECK
By Alperen Aktas
ISTANBUL (AA) - North Korea conducted a test of a strategic cruise missile, state media KCNA reported Sunday.
It is the first missile test by Pyongyang since the return Monday of Donald Trump to the White House.
"The war deterrence means the armed forces of the DPRK (North Korea) are being perfected more thoroughly," said North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, according to KCNA.
The strategic cruise missiles flew 1,500 kilometers (932 miles), hitting targets without affecting the safety of neighboring countries.
Kim emphasized the ongoing perfection of the regime's military deterrence and its commitment to ensuring lasting peace and stability through a more powerful military.
The launch marked North Korea’s third missile test in 2025, following several short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea on Jan. 14 and an intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile Jan. 6.
The test comes as Trump began his second non-consecutive term and signaled an openness to reviving dialogue with Pyongyang.
Trump and Kim met three times during the US president’s first term, including two summits.
North Korea's Foreign Ministry also stated that Pyongyang should maintain "the toughest counteraction" against the US as long as it rejects North Korea's sovereignty and security interests.
Those comments were in response to joint air drills between South Korea and the US, which the ministry condemned as a "grave challenge" to peace on the Korean Peninsula.
It warned that the drills would lead to a strong counteraction to protect North Korea’s sovereignty and ensure regional stability.