In a separate KCNA report on Sunday, North Korea’s foreign ministry vowed the “toughest counteraction” against the United States as long as Washington “refuses” Pyongyang’s sovereignty. The military alliance and joint drills between South Korea and the U.S. were to blame for the growing tensions in the region, the ministry said in a statement carried by KCNA. The statement came as U.S. President Donald Trump said during an interview on Thursday that he would reach out to Kim again after the two developed a working relationship in Trump’s first term. North Korea’s war deterrence means were being “perfected more thoroughly,” Kim was quoted as saying, while the leader also vowed to continue efforts to strengthen the military. “Kim Jong Un affirmed that the DPRK will always make strenuous efforts ... 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.” The DPRK stands for North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

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 strategic cruise missiles traveled 932 miles and flew between 7,507 and 7,511 seconds before hitting their targets, KCNA reported. North Korea's war deterrence means were being "perfected more thoroughly," Kim was quoted as saying, while the leader also vowed to continue efforts to strengthen the military.