North Korea fires two cruise missiles toward West Sea: South Korean official

North Korea launches what it claimed was a hypersonic missile, Jan. 5, in this photo provided by the North Korean government. North Korea seems to have test-fired two cruise missiles toward the West Sea on Wednesday. AP-Yonhap

North Korea test-fired two cruise missiles toward the West Sea on Wednesday, a South Korean military official said, as President Yoon Suk-yeol held a press conference to mark the 100th day since taking office.

"(The military) has detected two cruise missiles launched by North Korea from Onchon, South Pyongan Province, into the West Sea early this morning," the official said on the customary condition of anonymity without providing further details, including the exact type of missiles and time of the firing.

South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities are conducting a related analysis, with the allies maintaining a firm readiness posture, added the official.

In his Liberation Day speech two days earlier, Yoon laid out the details of his "audacious initiative" meant to help the North improve its economy in the event it takes denuclearization steps.

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The North's first known launch of a cruise missile since January also came a day after South Korean and American military troops kicked off preliminary drills just ahead of the start of their annual combined Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercise.

While the North is banned from making launches using ballistic missile technologies under U.N. Security Council resolutions, such a firing of a cruise missile is not in violation of them. (Yonhap)