North Korea claims it test-fired new long-range missile

NORTH KOREA has successfully testfired a new long-range cruise missile, state media claimed last night.

The Korean Central News Agency said the missiles hit their target after flying more than 930 miles (1,500km) during exercises on Saturday and yesterday.

The launch is understood to be the first in nearly four years since a missile was fired into the Sea of Japan.

Since then Pyongyang has launched several short-range missiles, most recently in March, which, according to South Korean and Japanese sources, flew 373 miles (600km).

Pyongyang is under a range of international sanctions over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes, which it continues to pursue.

The timing of the test, within weeks of the US’S shambolic withdrawal from Afghanistan, could reflect North Korea’s belief that the Biden administration is on the back foot.

Korean state media said the test-firing was witnessed by a senior member of the Korean Workers Party, but not the party leader, Kim Jong-un.