North Korea has tested a new air-defense missile system as part of efforts to strengthen its military capabilities. State media reported on Thursday that the test took place on Wednesday. Concurrently, a long-range strategic cruise missile unit conducted a drill targeting a simulated airfield. Citing the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA)—North Korea’s state news outlet—Yonhap reported that the missile administration carried out the test to evaluate the technical capabilities and reliability of the new air-defense system. The test was overseen by Kim Jong-sik, a member of the Central Military Commission. According to the KCNA, the evaluation covered new materials used in the missile, its multi-layered guidance system, its ability to identify and track targets, and equipment designed to process surveillance data. North Korea also stated that a unit of its long-range strategic cruise missile force, stationed in the country’s eastern region, conducted a military exercise on the same day, during which long-range cruise missiles were used to strike a simulated airfield. The KCNA claimed that the unit successfully completed its mission. Earlier, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) reported that North Korea had launched several missiles toward the East Sea on Wednesday morning. These missiles were fired from the Sondok area in South Hamgyong Province. Initial assessments by the South Korean military indicated that the missiles traveled less than 300 kilometers; however, officials have not yet reached a definitive conclusion regarding the specific type of missiles used. Meanwhile, Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, issued a series of statements this week rejecting allegations—investigated by the U.S.—that North Korea stole over $6 billion from Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. Kim Yo-jong described the U.S. allegations as part of a hostile policy toward North Korea. She further stated that while dialogue with the U.S. could be an option for peace, it cannot be considered essential to North Korea’s national interests. North Korea’s recent missile test also coincided with the U.S. midterm elections—elections that are being viewed as a significant political test for President Donald Trump’s policies during his second term. South Korea and the United States are monitoring North Korea’s military activities and analyzing the technical specifications of the missiles.