Pyongyang: North Korea has test-fired sea-to-surface strategic cruise guided missiles, the North's state media reported Sunday, quoting Kim Jong-un as saying that Pyongyang's deterrence means are being perfected. The North's Missile Administration conducted the test-fire the previous day as "part of plans for building the national defense capabilities to raise the effectiveness of strategic control against potential enemies," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the missiles precisely hit their targets after traveling the 1,500 kilometer-long elliptical and eight-shaped flight orbits for 7,507 to 7,511 seconds. The report emphasized that the launch had no negative impact on the security of neighboring countries. During the launch, leader Kim Jong-un highlighted that the war deterrence capabilities of the DPRK are being perfected more thoroughly.

Kim also stated that the DPRK will continue to make efforts to perform its mission and duty for defending peace and stability with more developed military strength in the future. South Korea's military confirmed the North's missile firing, noting that it detected the launches of multiple cruise missiles from an inland area in North Korea toward the Yellow Sea at about 4 p.m. Saturday.

"Detailed specifications are currently being closely analyzed by the intelligence authorities of South Korea and the United States," the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a text message sent to reporters. In January last year, North Korea test-fired new submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles, named "Pulhwasal-3-31," over two instances, raising questions as to whether the latest missiles could be an improved version of last year's missile.

The North claimed at the time that two of the Pulhwasal-3-31s flew 7,421 and 7,445 seconds, respectively, before hitting an island target.