The North Korean army acknowledged the firing of the strategic cruise missile ‘Hwasal-2’ during a missile exercise in the West Sea. This marks the third cruise missile test conducted by North Korea in the past week. The official statement highlighted the exercise’s contribution to testing the country’s counter-attack capabilities and enhancing its strategic strike capability. No technical details, including flight distance and altitude, were disclosed. North Korea assured that the missile test had no adverse effects on the security of neighboring countries.