Pyongyang, February 24 (KCNA) -- A strategic cruise missile launching drill was staged at dawn of February 23.

Involved in the drill was a relevant sub-unit of a strategic cruise missile unit of the Korean People's Army in the eastern region, and other sub-units conducted firepower training at hardened sites without live firing.

The sub-unit, involved in the launching drill, fired four "Hwasal-2" strategic cruise missiles in the area of Kim Chaek City, North Hamgyong Province, towards the East Sea of Korea.

The drill reconfirmed the reliability of the weapon system and examined the rapid response posture of strategic cruise missile units that constitute one of major forces of the DPRK nuclear deterrent.

The launching drill successfully achieved its object.

The four strategic cruise missiles precisely hit the preset target on the East Sea of Korea after traveling the 2 000km-long elliptical and eight-shaped flight orbits for 10 208s to 10 224s.

The Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea expressed great satisfaction over the results of the launching drill.

The drill clearly demonstrated once again the war posture of the DPRK nuclear combat force bolstering up in every way its deadly nuclear counterattack capability against the hostile forces. -0-