North Korea successfully test-fired long-range cruise missiles, the United States, Japan and South Korea are concerned about "posed a threat"

　　North Korea successfully tested long-range cruise missiles. The United States, Japan and South Korea all said they were worried about "posed a threat." Korean media: May change the regional military landscape

　　[Global Times Special Correspondent to North Korea Mang Jiuchen Global Times Special Correspondent Li Wen] According to a report by the Korean Central News Agency on the 13th, North Korea successfully tested a newly developed long-range cruise missile with strategic significance last weekend.

Although it did not violate the UN Security Council resolutions on North Korea, it still caused uneasiness in the United States, Japan, South Korea and other countries.

　　According to the KCNA report on the 13th, the North Korean Academy of National Defense Science successfully tested the newly developed long-range cruise missile on the 11th and 12th.

The launched long-range cruise missile flew along a predetermined elliptical and figure-eight orbit for 7,580 seconds in North Korea's territory and territorial waters, accurately striking a target set 1,500 kilometers away.

The test firing results show that the newly developed turbo-blast engine propulsion and other technical indicators, the missile’s flight control performance, and the accuracy of terminal guidance hits all meet the design requirements.

The research and development of this weapon system is of great strategic significance, and North Korea has another effective means of deterring it to more firmly guarantee national security and forcefully suppress the military activities of hostile forces against North Korea.

　　The newly developed long-range cruise missile test shot by the North Korean Academy of Defense Sciences is from the Korean Central News Agency

　　According to the BBC, ballistic missiles are carried by rockets and fly along a parabolic-like trajectory; while cruise missiles fly at low altitudes and the trajectory is relatively difficult to detect and track.

According to a report by the conservative Korean media Chosun Ilbo, according to two photos released by North Korea, experts judged that the shape of Pyongyang's long-range cruise missile was similar to the "Xuanwu-3" cruise missile developed and deployed by South Korea and the US "Tomahawk" missile.

From the point of view of the position of the engine air intake, the North Korean cruise missile is closer to the Tomahawk missile.

Agence France-Presse quoted analysts on the 13th and commented that if it is confirmed that North Korea has a long-range cruise missile, then this indicates that Pyongyang has made a technological breakthrough.

A military expert told the Russian Satellite News Agency on Monday that this new type of cruise missile is an effective modern weapon with a wide range of advantages. The number of countries possessing this weapon is limited, which means that North Korea has established a balance with a variety of weapons. The multi-dimensional containment system may change the regional military and political structure.

　　Although it did not violate the UN Security Council resolutions on North Korea, the United States, Japan, South Korea and other countries expressed concern about North Korea’s test-fire of long-range cruise missiles.

The US Indo-Pacific Command issued a statement saying that this activity highlights North Korea’s continued focus on developing its military projects. Pyongyang’s missile test poses a threat to neighboring countries. The US is continuing to monitor the situation and is in close consultation with partner countries.

According to Kyodo News, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato Katsunobu said that if the North Korean cruise missile had a range of 1,500 kilometers, it would pose a threat to the peace and security of Japan’s surrounding areas, which made Japan uneasy.

He emphasized that the Japanese government has been working closely with South Korea and the United States to collect and analyze information on North Korean military trends. Tokyo will continue to strengthen measures to respond to various air threats and improve national defense and anti-missile defense capabilities.

　　South Korea’s "Joongang Ilbo" reported that this is the fourth time North Korea has launched a missile this year after launching cruise missiles on January 22 and March 21, and launching ballistic missiles on March 25.

Yonhap News Agency believes that North Korea’s test fire is a low-intensity demonstration by force.

According to the Chosun Ilbo, the South Korean-US missile defense network is currently set up for ballistic missiles, while for cruise missiles, there is no corresponding detection and interception system.

In this regard, public opinion is concerned that North Korea may use long-range cruise missiles to destroy the THAAD system in South Korea and US military bases in Japan, rendering the South Korean-US missile interception network ineffective.

Experts say that if North Korea launches new long-range cruise missiles and ballistic missiles together and the THAAD system is destroyed, it may be difficult for the South Korean and US military authorities to make a reasonable response.

　　However, the "Han Minzu Daily" pointed out that the UN Security Council did not impose restrictions on North Korea's development of cruise missiles.

According to CNN, most cruise missiles do not carry nuclear warheads.

Yonhap News Agency said that although cruise missiles can achieve precision strikes, their speed is not as fast as ballistic missiles. Even if they are equipped with nuclear warheads, the weight of the warhead needs to be greatly reduced.

In addition, the KCNA stated that long-range cruise missiles are an effective means for North Korea to forcefully suppress hostile forces’ anti-North Korean military activities.

The United States and South Korea held a "joint command post exercise" in the second half of the year last month, which was strongly opposed by North Korea.

According to CNN, at the end of last month, the United States approved the sale of precision guided munitions and related equipment worth US$258 million to South Korea.

South Korean media reported last week that the South Korean Navy tested a ballistic missile from a submarine for the first time.

　　Yonhap News Agency analyzed on the 13th that US President Biden has been in office for nearly 8 months, but has not yet found a breakthrough in the US-North Korea denuclearization negotiations. Under this circumstance, North Korea tested missiles, increasing pressure to restart denuclearization negotiations. South Korea’s "Seoul Shimbun" believes that the 30th anniversary of South Korea and North Korea’s joining the United Nations will soon be celebrated on September 17 and the 3rd anniversary of the signing of the "September Pyongyang Joint Declaration" will be celebrated on the 19th. In this context, North Korea launched New long-range cruise missiles have aggravated the tension on the Korean Peninsula. According to the Russian Satellite News Agency, Ranikov, a professor at the National University of Korea, said that North Korea wanted to "slightly increase tensions" through missile test launches and push the United States to negotiate. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on the 13th that China has consistently maintained peace and stability on the peninsula and advocates solving problems through dialogue and consultation. China calls on relevant parties to exercise restraint, meet each other halfway, actively engage in dialogue and contact, and continue to advance the process of political settlement of the Peninsula issue. According to Yonhap News Agency, the representatives of South Korea, the United States and Japan to North Korea will hold talks in Tokyo on the 14th to discuss North Korea issues.