SEOUL (Reuters) -North Korea carried out a strategic cruise missile drill on Jan. 30, state media KCNA reported on Wednesday.

       The report confirmed Tuesday's launch of multiple cruise missiles into the sea off its west coast announced by the South Korean military.

       "The drill made a contribution to checking the KPA's (Korean People's Army)rapid counterattack posture and improving its strategic striking capability," KCNA said, adding that the cruise missile was "strategic" which typically refers to nuclear capable weapons.

       The latest test for the missile called "Hwasal-2" marks the third time Pyongyang has tested cruise missiles in less than a week.

       (Reporting by Ju-min Park; Editing by Chris Reese and Alistair Bell)