This picture taken on January 14, 2024 and released from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) via KNS on January 15, 2024 shows the test-firing of an intermediate-range solid-fuel ballistic missile at an unconfirmed location in North Korea (Photo: KCNA)

The missiles were fired at around 7 a.m., the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. The US, Japan, and South Korea will conduct a detailed analysis of the launches, believed to be the North’s first cruise missile launches since September.

John Kirby, a White House official, said the US is maintaining an appropriate defensive posture against North Korean threats, and said Washington is concerned about burgeoning ties between Pyongyang and Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin is reported to be considering a trip to North Korea this year.