North Korea announced it test-fired two types of submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles in the East Sea. The state media said the tests aimed to examine underwater combat systems.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
North Korea has test-fired two types of submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles, according to the state news agency KCNA. The launches took place on Wednesday in the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan.
KCNA stated that the test-fire "aimed to examine the current mobilized posture of the underwater combat systems." The agency reported that the exercise also "contributed to getting the Navy skilled in performing its strategic missions and showcasing high reliability, trustworthiness and ability of the war deterrents of [North Korea]."
The state media emphasized that the launches did not pose a threat to regional neighbors. "The test-fire... had no negative impact whatsoever on the security of neighboring countries," KCNA said, as reported by Seoul Economic Daily.
According to Seoul Economic Daily, several high-ranking officials observed the launch site. These included Kim Jong-sik, first vice department director of the Workers' Party Central Committee, and Jang Chang-ha, director of the Missile Administration. Engineers from the Korean People's Army Navy's underwater weapons systems were also present.
The report noted a distinction in how the event was covered domestically versus internationally. News of the test-fire did not appear in the Rodong Sinmun, the Workers' Party newspaper read by North Korean residents. Instead, the information was carried only by the Korean Central News Agency, an outlet aimed at foreign audiences.
This launch follows a period of increased military activity and diplomatic tension. North Korea has carried out multiple ballistic missile tests in October, with the latest launches occurring on Monday. The submarine test comes after weeks of friction regarding a landmine explosion along the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) on Sept 21, which injured three South Korean soldiers.
South Korea's military authorities did not disclose the missile launch, according to Seoul Economic Daily. The two Koreas remain technically at war, as the Korean conflict ended in 1953 with a truce rather than a peace treaty.
The test demonstrates North Korea's ongoing efforts to expand its military capabilities during a freeze in diplomacy with Washington and Seoul. While North Korea has conducted submarine launches in recent years, its sea-based launch capabilities remain unclear. Proven submarine-launched missile capability would allow for deployment beyond the Korean peninsula, according to AFP.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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