North Korea announces long-range cruise missile test This Brazilian favela house wins international architecture competition

North Korea has said it has tested several military-guided missiles to bolster its nuclear deterrent. Four long-range cruise missiles were fired east toward the open sea on Thursday, state media from the country, which has been isolated because of its nuclear weapons program, reported Friday.

Such exercises will increase the “capability of a deadly nuclear counter-attack”. After a flight time of about two hours and 50 minutes, the missiles hit their targets 2,000 kilometers away.

The General Staff in neighboring South Korea confirmed the weapons test. But there are differences between what South Korea and the US have captured through their surveillance techniques and what North Korea has announced. Details are still under investigation.

Tensions in the region are currently rising. North Korea tested another ICBM on Saturday that could theoretically reach US territory. North Korea on Monday launched two missiles that Japan and South Korea identified as short-range ballistic missiles.

North Korea is not allowed to test ballistic missiles by UN decrees. But like ballistic missiles, cruise missiles can also be equipped with a nuclear warhead. Unlike ballistic missiles, guided missiles have their own permanent propulsion system. (sda/dpa)