North Korea fires two cruise missiles from west coast town of Onchon

Tags: International News

North Korea fired two cruise missiles from the west coast city of Onchon on the morning of August 17.

IMPORTANT FACTS -

• The launch comes as South Korea and the United States begin a four-day preliminary joint exercise in preparation for the long-suspended live field training Ulchi Freedom Shield, which takes place from August 22 to September 1.

• South Korean President Yoon Sek-yol said that his country is ready to provide phased economic aid to North Korea if it ends the development of nuclear weapons and begins denuclearization.

• Unlike ballistic missiles, cruise missiles are powered by jet engines and remain close to the ground, making them difficult to detect.

• Most cruise missiles are not designed to carry nuclear warheads.

Recent missile launches by North Korea :

• North Korea has recently conducted a flurry of missile tests, making its 18th launch on August 17 this year.

• North Korea only has four tests in 2020, and eight in 2021.

• The last missile launch was on June 5 with eight short-range ballistic missiles – which were responded to by South Korea and the US firing eight more missiles into the waters off the eastern coast of the Korean peninsula.

About North Korea :

• Capital - Pyongyang

• Official Language - Korean

• President - Kim Jong-un