North Korea test-fires submarine-launched cruise missiles

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 00:57 · Archive

North Korea has test-fired two types of submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles in waters off its east coast.

North Korea test-fired two types of submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles on Wednesday, state media KCNA reported Thursday. The missiles were fired into the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan. KCNA said the launches posed no threat to neighbouring countries, and that the tests aimed to examine the underwater combat systems' mobilized posture and served as a Navy training exercise.

The tests followed weeks of mounting friction over a landmine explosion along the heavily fortified border between North and South Korea. Three South Korean soldiers were injured in the September 21 blast in the Seoul-controlled area of the Demilitarised Zone, with both countries testing upgraded missile technology in the aftermath.

Photos released by KCNA showed missiles blasting vertically out of the sea trailed by thick plumes of smoke, others erupting from the water at angles, and a missile flying horizontally over the sea. DW News reported that state media described the weapons as strategic, implying an intent to arm them with nuclear warheads, though the report did not specify whether they were launched from an actual submarine or an underwater test platform.

How it is being reported

• North Korea says it tested cruise missiles to be launched from subNorth Korean state media said the military test-fired cruise missiles designed to be launched from submarines. Pyongyang has ramped up weapons launches in recent weeks.DW News · 15 Oct, 00:37
• North Korea test-fires submarine-launched cruise missiles amid rising tensionsNorth Korea test-fired two types of submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles on Wednesday, state media KCNA reported Thursday, saying the launches posed no threat to neighbouring countries. The tests follow heightened tensions with South Korea after a September 21 landmine explosion in the Demilitarised Zone injured three South Korean soldiers.France 24 · 15 Oct, 00:12

In this story: North Korea · South Korea · Demilitarised Zone · East Sea · KCNA · Kim Jong Un

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