North Korea tests two submarine-launched missiles, state media reports
The tests showcase North Korea's war deterrent capabilities in the region, KCNA says.
Key points
- North Korea test-fired two types of submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles off its east coast on Wednesday.
- One missile was a Pulhwasal-3-31, the same type North Korea said it test-fired from land last week.
- KCNA said the tests had no adverse impact on the security of neighbouring countries.
North Korea test-fired two types of submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles in the sea off its east coast on Wednesday, according to state media KCNA. The launch was intended to examine the reliability of war deterrents and improve the navy's ability to carry out strategic missions.
One of the missiles fired was a Pulhwasal-3-31, the same type of strategic cruise missile North Korea said it test-fired from land last week. Senior military officers observed the tests, and KCNA said they had no adverse impact on the security of neighbouring countries.
Submarine programme status
North Korea is not yet believed to have launched a modern missile submarine in full operation. This is a top military priority of leader Kim Jong Un, who has overseen the development of a range of strategic ballistic and cruise missiles.
Last year, Kim criticised a nuclear submarine deal between the US and South Korea while touring a submarine production facility, where state media images showed an 8,700-tonne nuclear-powered missile submarine under construction. He described the deal as a threat to the stability of the Korean Peninsula, KCNA reported.
Korean Peninsula theatre of operations
— Lee Jae Myung's office
Recent launches and tensions
Pyongyang has fired a flurry of missiles in recent weeks. Earlier this week, it fired multiple ballistic missiles towards the sea off its east coast, and on October 3 it tested a hypersonic intermediate-range missile designed to evade missile defences in South Korea and Japan.
After the ballistic missile launch, Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesperson Jang Do-young said the move appeared to be a show of force, coming days after South Korea tested its own hypersonic weapon. Last week, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung oversaw the country's first test firing of a hypersonic missile, which his office said would enhance South Korea's ability to strike key targets by surprise in the "Korean Peninsula theatre of operations".
