North Korea says it tested two types of submarine-launched strategic cruise missile off its eastern coast on Wednesday. The announcement puts its underwater weapons programme in focus as Pyongyang expands its navy. The authorities describe a readiness exercise, while the test’s success and the systems’ operational readiness remain independently unverified.
North Korea says it tested two types of submarine-launched strategic cruise missile off its eastern coast on Wednesday. Its state news agency announced the tests on Thursday. The announcement concerns an underwater weapons test rather than the land-area ballistic launches reported earlier this week.[1], [2]
The agency says the exercise examined the readiness of underwater combat systems and was intended to improve the navy’s strategic missions. Senior military officers observed it. North Korean authorities also said the test had not harmed neighbouring countries’ security. The missiles’ range, the test’s success and the underwater systems’ readiness have not been independently verified.[1]
Kim Jong Un has made naval development a priority in military modernisation. North Korea released images of a nuclear-powered submarine under construction last year. It is not thought to possess an operational submarine capable of carrying modern submarine-launched missiles. Talks on denuclearisation between Washington and Pyongyang collapsed in 2019; no new leaders’ meeting has taken place during Donald Trump’s second term.[1]
