DPRK launched multiple cruise missiles into the waters along its western coast, according to South Korea's military. This marks the latest in a series of weapons tests conducted by Pyongyang this year.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff in Seoul issued a statement revealing that South Korea's military identified the launch of several unidentified cruise missiles into the West Sea of North Korea at approximately 07:00 (2200 GMT).

South Korean and US intelligence agencies "are conducting a detailed analysis," the JCS said.

"Our military is cooperating closely with the U.S. while strengthening surveillance and vigilance, and is closely monitoring North Korea's activities," it added.

Unlike their ballistic counterparts, the testing of cruise missiles is not banned under current UN sanctions on Pyongyang.

Cruise missiles are jet-propelled and fly at low altitudes, making them difficult to detect and intercept by air defense systems.

President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul conveyed to his cabinet that if DPRK, possessing nuclear capabilities, initiates any provocations, South Korea would retaliate with a response "multiple times stronger," emphasizing the overwhelming response capabilities of the South Korean military.

This comes shortly after DPRK leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the testing of new cruise missiles intended for submarine launch, and he also assessed advancements in the construction of a nuclear-powered submarine.

During these activities, he reiterated his objective of establishing a nuclear-armed navy to counter perceived external threats, as reported by state media on Monday.

At the time, South Korea's military reported that DPRK had launched several cruise missiles over waters close to the eastern port of Sinpo, where Pyongyang is actively developing submarines in a major shipyard. This incident adds to a series of weapon tests conducted by DPRK amid heightened tensions with the United States, South Korea, and Japan.

According to state media, the missiles were identified as Pulhwasal-3-31, a novel weapon type that underwent initial testing last week through land-based launches conducted from the DPRK's western coast.

It is worth noting that the DPRK increased its weapon testing activities since the new year to include underwater nuclear weapon testing and a solid-fuel hypersonic ballistic missile, especially amid US-South Korea military exercises in the region.

The United States, South Korea, and Japan engaged in extensive joint naval exercises, as reported by South Korea's military on January 17. Concurrently, senior diplomats from the three allies were scheduled to convene in Seoul to address the escalating tensions with Pyongyang. 

The DPRK responds to South Korea's threats

DPRK leader Kim Jong Un affirmed, on January 10, that should South Korea's army violate the DPRK's sovereignty, Pyongyang intends to "annihilate" the ROK.

"If the ROK dares attempt to use armed forces against the DPRK or threaten its sovereignty and security and such opportunity comes, we will have no hesitation in annihilating the ROK by mobilizing all means and forces in our hands," Kim said.

The leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea explained in a final 2023 address that Pyongyang will no longer regard South Korea as an extension of the Korean people but as "a colonial stooge of the US".

At the time, the DPRK leader also highlighted that "the US inveterate hostile acts against the DPRK are not only confined to rhetoric threat or demonstration purposes but have evidently evolved into a stage of execution which can lead to actual military actions and thus trigger a conflict between the armed forces of both sides."

Meanwhile, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is exerting strained efforts to enhance military collaboration with both Washington and Tokyo, concurrently seeking stronger assurances from the United States. These assurances involve a swift and decisive commitment to utilizing its nuclear capabilities for the defense of South Korea against the DPRK.

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