North Korea has test-fired two types of submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles in the sea off its east coast, state media reported on Thursday, as Pyongyang pushes ahead with efforts to build a sea-based leg of its weapons programme.
What state media said
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said the country's Missile Administration conducted the launches on Wednesday, October 14, into the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan. Senior military officers observed the tests alongside naval engineers specialising in underwater weapons systems. KCNA said the launches were aimed at checking the operational readiness of underwater combat systems and demonstrating the reliability of the country's war deterrents, adding that the tests had no adverse impact on the security of neighbouring countries. It gave no further details on the missiles' flight performance. Notably, the report appeared only on KCNA, the North's external news agency, and was not carried by Rodong Sinmun, the ruling party's domestic newspaper.
Broader context
North Korea has in recent years developed both ballistic and cruise missile capabilities launched from various platforms, including an ageing submarine, though it is not yet believed to have a modern missile submarine in full operation — a top military priority for leader Kim Jong Un. The launch follows weeks of heightened friction on the Korean peninsula, including a landmine explosion in the Demilitarised Zone in September that injured three South Korean soldiers.
Sources:
- GMA News (Reuters): North Korea says it tested submarine-launched cruise missiles
- Aju Press: North Korea tests two types of submarine-launched cruise missiles
What state media said
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said the country's Missile Administration conducted the launches on Wednesday, October 14, into the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan. Senior military officers observed the tests alongside naval engineers specialising in underwater weapons systems. KCNA said the launches were aimed at checking the operational readiness of underwater combat systems and demonstrating the reliability of the country's war deterrents, adding that the tests had no adverse impact on the security of neighbouring countries. It gave no further details on the missiles' flight performance. Notably, the report appeared only on KCNA, the North's external news agency, and was not carried by Rodong Sinmun, the ruling party's domestic newspaper.
Broader context
North Korea has in recent years developed both ballistic and cruise missile capabilities launched from various platforms, including an ageing submarine, though it is not yet believed to have a modern missile submarine in full operation — a top military priority for leader Kim Jong Un. The launch follows weeks of heightened friction on the Korean peninsula, including a landmine explosion in the Demilitarised Zone in September that injured three South Korean soldiers.
Sources:
- GMA News (Reuters): North Korea says it tested submarine-launched cruise missiles
- Aju Press: North Korea tests two types of submarine-launched cruise missiles
