Pyongyang launched strategic cruise missiles on February 26: KCNA

North Korea earlier this week tested strategic cruise missiles, marking its second launch since U.S. President Trump took office.

Its leader Kim Jong-un was at the test site, stressing the need for strong striking power.

Our defense correspondent Kim Bo-kyoung examines its intention behind.

After around a month-long pause, North Korea conducted a strategic cruise missile test in waters off its west coast.

According to Pyongyang's state media, the Korean People's Army launched missiles on February 26th.

They flew 1-thousand-5-hundred-87 kilometers for approximately 7-thousand-9-hundred-61 to 7-thousand-9-hundred-73 seconds in an oval trajectory before striking their targets.

The North's state media said the test aimed to demonstrate the ability to retaliate against threats; to reinforce the credibility of its nuclear deterrent, and to improve the operational readiness of its strategic cruise missile units.

The regime's leader Kim Jong-un expressed satisfaction with the test results, stressing the most complete deterrence and defense capability comes from possessing overwhelming offensive power.

South Korea's military noted that it had detected the launch of multiple cruise missiles toward the West Sea at about 8 AM on the 26th, which is being analyzed by South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities.

The unification ministry too noted it is looking into it closely.

"North Korea's cruise missile launch is the first in about a month since January 25th. The government is closely monitoring Pyongyang's weapon production process in collaboration with relevant agencies."

While projecting the missiles to be the Hwasal-1, one expert says the focus is on how Pyongyang mentioned specific reasons behind the missile launch, compared to January.

At that time, North Korea adjusted the tone as it was right after Trump's inauguration, the expert says, but now it is sending a direct counter-message.

"A series of messages from the U.S. have been issued recently, and in response, North Korea could have been uncomfortable. To demonstrate a strong intent to counter this, it has deliberately given more details about its nuclear operations."

Though missile launches could continue, in order not to provoke Washington, the same expert added that Pyongyang will likely avoid overly provocative missile tests.

"In order to manage the U.S., North Korea is likely to focus more on hypersonic missiles or strategic cruise missiles, which, while appearing less provocative than ICBMs or intermediate-range missiles, actually have higher strategic value."

Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.