North Korea fires 'several' cruise missiles off its eastern coast, says Seoul

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) – North Korea fired several cruise missiles off its eastern coast on Sunday, days after testing new Pulhwasal-3-31 cruise missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads from the west coast, the South Korean military said.

The launch of the cruise missiles into waters off the North Korean port city of Shinpo was detected around 8:00 a.m. local time (2300GMT Saturday), Seoul-based Yonhap News reported, citing a statement issued by South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The report comes after Pyongyang announced on Thursday that it had tested a new type of strategic cruise missile, the Pulhwasal-3-31, which is said to be capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

The South Korean military said it had also detected the launch of several cruise missiles into the Yellow Sea by North Korea on Wednesday, amid rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

Pyongyang claimed to have tested an underwater nuclear attack drone in response to the latest joint military drills earlier this month between the three regional allies, the US, South Korea, and Japan.