North Korea said Friday it had test-fired strategic cruise missiles to demonstrate its nuclear counter-attack capability, days after it vowed to respond to what it called escalating U.S.-led hostilities since the start of the Trump administration.

North Korea test-fired strategic cruise missiles into the Yellow Sea in a demonstration of Pyongyang's nuclear deterrent capabilities, state-run media said Friday.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised a test-launch of strategic cruise missiles and ordered full readiness to use nuclear attack capability, which would ensure the most effective defence for the country,