Cruise Missile Demonstrates 'Low-Altitude Flight' Capability... North Korea "Launched Hwasal-2 Type Yesterday"

North Korea "Rapid Counterattack Readiness Inspection... Enhancing Strike Capability"

North Korea conducted a strategic cruise missile "Hwasal-2" launch drill in the West Sea of Korea on the 30th, according to a report by the Korean Central News Agency on the 31st. [Image source=Yonhap News]

North Korea revealed that the cruise missile launched on the 30th was the existing 'Hwasal-2' and released photos showing it flying at low altitude.

On the 31st, the Korean Central News Agency reported on the "Strategic Cruise Missile Launch Training of the Korean People's Army General Staff," stating, "The Korean People's Army conducted strategic cruise missile 'Hwasal-2' launch training over the West Sea of Korea on January 30."

The agency said, "This training contributed to inspecting our military's rapid counterattack posture and enhancing strategic strike capabilities, and it did not have any negative impact on the safety of neighboring countries."

Meanwhile, North Korea released photos showing the missile flying at low altitude. Since cruise missiles can fly at low altitudes of tens to hundreds of meters immediately after launch, it is known to be difficult for our military to detect them with radar.

North Korea conducted a strategic cruise missile "Hwasal-2" launch drill in the West Sea of Korea on the 30th, according to a report by the Korean Central News Agency on the 31st. [Image source=Yonhap News]

North Korea appears to have aimed to showcase the cruise missile's greatest strength, its low-altitude flight capability, through the photos. The missile body was painted with a white stripe on a dark background, similar to the previously revealed 'Hwasal-1.'

The Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that around 7 a.m. the previous day, North Korea fired several cruise missiles into the West Sea.

North Korea also launched the new strategic cruise missile 'Bulhwasal-3-31' into the West and East Seas on the 24th and 28th. Over the past week, it has fired cruise missiles three times, escalating the level of provocations.

The Hwasal-2 fired by North Korea the previous day is a long-range cruise missile recently developed alongside the Hwasal-1. Its range is approximately 1,800 to 2,000 km. Since North Korea claimed to have confirmed its counterattack posture through the Hwasal-2, it is possible that it has already been deployed in frontline units.