North Korea conducts a test launch of a strategic surface-to-surface cruise missile, Jan. 25, observed by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, in this photo provided by the state-run Korean Central News Agency, Jan. 25. Yonhap

North Korea has test-fired sea-to-surface strategic cruise guided missiles, the North's state media reported Sunday, quoting Kim as saying that Pyongyang's deterrence means are being perfected

The North's Missile Administration conducted the test-fire the previous day as "part of plans for building the national defense capabilities to raise the effectiveness of strategic control against potential enemies," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

The missiles precisely hit the targets after traveling the 1,500 kilometer-long elliptical and figure of eight-shaped flight orbits for 7,507 to 7,511 seconds, the report said, adding that launch had no negative impact on the security of neighboring countries.

Overseeing the launch, leader Kim Jong-un noted that "The war deterrence means of the armed forces of the DPRK are being perfected more thoroughly," the KCNA said. DPRK stands for the country's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Kim also affirmed that "DPRK will always make strenuous efforts in a responsible manner to perform its important mission and duty for defending sustainable and lasting peace and stability on the basis of more powerfully developed military muscle in the future."

South Korea's military confirmed the North's missile firing, noting that it detected the launches of multiple cruise missiles from an inland area in North Korea toward the Yellow Sea at about 4 p.m. Saturday.

"Detailed specifications are currently being closely analyzed by the intelligence authorities of South Korea and the United States," the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a text message sent to reporters.

In January last year, North Korea test-fired new submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles, named "Pulhwasal-3-31," on two instances, raising questions as to whether the latest missiles could be an improved version of last year's missile.

The North claimed at the time that two of the Pulhwasal-3-31s flew 7,421 and 7,445 seconds, respectively, before hitting an island target. (Yonhap)