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North Korea Conducts New Cruise Missile Test in Response to Reinforcement of US Military Exercises in Indo-Pacific.
On February 26, 2025, North Korea carried out a new test of strategic cruise missiles from its west coast, demonstrating its military capabilities and responding to what it perceives as increasing external threats. Supervised by Kim Jong-un, the test aimed to assess the reliability of its weapons systems and send a direct message to its adversaries. According to the official KCNA news agency, the missiles followed an elliptical trajectory of 1,587 kilometers for nearly 8,000 seconds before reaching their targets, highlighting their precision and operational capability. The launch, closely monitored by South Korea and the United States, was detected early by South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, which had been tracking military movements in the North based on prior warning signs.
A photo released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency shows a strategic cruise missile being launched during a drill on February 26. (Picture source: KCNA)
This test is part of an ongoing pattern of North Korea’s military demonstrations in response to regional geopolitical tensions. Kim Jong-un emphasized the necessity of these tests to maintain the effectiveness of North Korea’s nuclear deterrent and ensure national security. Pyongyang views these missile launches as a reaction to what it calls “provocations” from the United States and its allies, particularly amid the strengthening of joint military exercises between Seoul and Washington. With the annual Freedom Shield exercise scheduled for March, North Korea perceives these drills as a direct threat, whereas the United States and South Korea maintain that they are purely defensive. In this context, North Korea aims to reinforce its deterrence posture, signaling that its military capabilities are operationally ready if needed.
The timing of this launch coincides with shifts in U.S. policy toward North Korea under the Trump administration. Washington has reaffirmed its commitment to North Korea’s denuclearization and has strengthened its trilateral partnership with Seoul and Tokyo, increasing pressure on Kim Jong-un’s regime.
According to Hong Min, a researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification, these missile tests directly respond to Washington’s recent measures, including its continued support for UN sanctions against Pyongyang. This launch marks the fourth missile test conducted by North Korea this year and the second since Trump’s return to office. In January, Pyongyang had already tested nuclear-capable cruise missiles, framing the move as a "firm countermeasure" to U.S. actions.
Over the years, North Korea has sought to expand and refine its missile arsenal, developing intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) such as the Hwasong-15 and Hwasong-17, which are capable of reaching U.S. territory, as well as intermediate-range missiles like the Hwasong-12, which pose a direct threat to Japan and Guam.
Additionally, it has developed short-range missiles, including the KN-23, modeled after the Russian Iskander missile, and strategic cruise missiles like those tested in its latest launch. This modernization effort reflects Pyongyang’s strategy to counter its adversaries’ missile defense systems by employing more unpredictable flight paths and harder-to-detect weapons.
These technological advancements have significant implications for neighboring countries. South Korea and Japan remain the most exposed to North Korea’s missile capabilities and have been reinforcing their defense systems, with increased support from the United States, which has expanded its military presence in the region. For Washington, North Korea’s ability to reach U.S. territory with long-range missiles presents a strategic challenge, prompting a reassessment of deterrence frameworks. In response, the U.S. and its allies continue to strengthen their collective defense posture while maintaining diplomatic and economic pressure on Pyongyang to curb its military advancements.
The February 26 launch once again highlights North Korea’s approach of demonstrating its military capabilities while testing the reactions of its adversaries. As tensions in the region escalate, such displays risk further complicating the security situation in East Asia, reducing the prospects for diplomatic engagement or de-escalation soon.