North Korea conducts long-range strategic cruise missile drill under Kim Jong Un

Key facts

• Kim Jong Un oversaw a long-range strategic cruise missile launching drill, state media KCNA reported.
• The cruise missiles flew along their preset orbit above the sea west of the Korean Peninsula and accurately hit their targets.
• Kim described the missile test as 'just a responsible exercise' given that the country 'is facing various security threats.'
• Kim urged 'unlimited and sustained' development of the country's nuclear weapons forces.
• State media photos showed Kim inspecting a nearly completed 8,700-ton hull at a shipyard, indicating progress on North Korea's first nuclear-powered submarine.
• South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is expected to seek China's cooperation on addressing Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions during his planned visit to China.
• Japan, South Korea, and the United States have conducted expanded joint air drills, including US B-52 bombers flying with Japanese fighter jets over the Sea of Japan.