Pyongyang: North Korea announced on Wednesday that it had test-fired sea-to-surface strategic cruise missiles in the Yellow Sea a day before. This action occurred just prior to U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) gathering.

According to Yonhap News Agency, North Korea's missile launch coincided with Trump's expression of interest in meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during his visit to South Korea from October 29-30 for the APEC meetings. The cruise missiles, modified for ship-based launches, were fired vertically and flew for over 7,800 seconds along a predetermined route above the Yellow Sea to hit their target, as reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). However, specific details such as the flight distance were not disclosed.

The test firing was not overseen by North Korea's leader, and state media catering to the domestic audience, including the Rodong Sinmun newspaper, did not report on the missile launch. Pak Jong-chon, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, stated that North Korea had achieved significant progress in establishing its nuclear forces on a "practical basis."

"It is an extension of exercising the war deterrent and an act of exercising it in a more responsible manner to continuously test the reliability of different strategic offensive means and impress their abilities upon the enemies," Pak mentioned while overseeing the test alongside key defense officials. He emphasized the necessity of continually enhancing North Korea's combat capability.

Pak further commented on the importance of strengthening the nuclear combat posture as a responsible mission and duty. The KCNA also reported that Pak reviewed the training of sailors on the new 5,000-ton destroyers, Choe Hyon and Kang Kon, focusing on operating the warships and their weapons systems.