Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea, oversaw the testing of a new type of missile designed to be launched from the ground and target ships at sea. This was reported by North Korea's state media, which also mentioned Kim's directive to increase defense readiness along the western maritime border.

The missile, named Padasuri-6, was launched a day after South Korea reported that North Korea had fired multiple cruise missiles near the port of Wonsan. The test was successful, with the missile hitting its target in the East Sea after being airborne for approximately 23 minutes.

This marks the fifth time North Korea has conducted a cruise missile test this year, and it comes just ahead of the 82nd birthday of Kim Jong-il, the late former leader and father of Kim Jong-un.

Kim Jong-un expressed concerns about South Korean naval activities near the border islands of Yeonpyeong and Baengnyeong, accusing South Korea of violating North Korean waters. He criticized the maritime border, known as the Northern Limit Line, calling it a "ghost" line that lacks international recognition.

The leader emphasized the need for North Korea to defend its maritime sovereignty forcefully, rather than through rhetoric or public statements. He stated that any intrusion into North Korean waters would be considered a provocation.

In addition to overseeing the missile test, Kim ordered a restructuring of coastal missile units in both the eastern and western fleets. North Korea, officially known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), has a longstanding dispute with South Korea over the maritime border in the Yellow Sea, which has led to past naval skirmishes.

Experts believe that North Korea's new ground-to-ship missile resembles Russia's Kh-35 Uran cruise missiles and is likely intended to counter the naval capabilities of South Korea and the United States, particularly aircraft carriers.

North Korea has escalated tensions on the Korean Peninsula this year through various weapons tests, including the recent launch of solid-fuel hypersonic missiles. In January, North Korea claimed to have tested a new strategic cruise missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, named Pulhwasal-3-31.

Meanwhile, Kim Jong-un visited a munitions factory, where he instructed the Second Economic Committee to initiate a new project, although details of this project were not disclosed.

Kim Jong Un Oversees Missile Tests Amid North Korea's Maritime Security Boost

How North Korea's Cruise Missile Tests Spark Concerns of International Escalation

North Korea Conducts Cruise Missile Tests Amid Calls for War Readiness