KCNA said the missile, called "Pulhwasal-3-31", was newly developed and the test did not affect the security of neighboring countries, adding that it had "no relation" to the regional situation.

The article quoted the North Korean Rocket Administration as saying the test was also part of the country's upgrade of its weapons systems.

North Korea fired multiple cruise missiles toward its west coast at around 7 a.m. Tuesday local time, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said Wednesday.

North Korea conducted its first nuclear-capable cruise missile test in September 2021. Unlike ballistic missiles, North Korea's cruise missiles are not banned by any United Nations Security Council resolutions.

However, analysts say medium-range land-attack cruise missiles are just as threatening as ballistic missiles. Cruise missiles and short-range ballistic missiles can both be armed with conventional or nuclear bombs.

Hoang Hai (according to KCNA, Yonhap, Reuters)