North Korea said Wednesday it test-fired cruise missiles designed to be fired from submarines to test the readiness of the country’s underwater combat systems and strengthen the Navy’s capabilities.
North Korea’s state media said it carried out the tests in waters off the east coast of the Korean peninsula.
A North Korean state media report described the weapons as strategic, implying an intent to arm them with nuclear warheads.
But the report did not specify whether they were launched from an actual submarine or an underwater test platform.
North Korea has pushed ahead with modern missile submarines and both ballistic and cruise missile developments.
Pyongyang has tested various weapons in recent weeks to sharpen its military deterrence against the United States and South Korea, but it is not yet believed to have launched a modern missile submarine in full operation.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
What to know about North Korea’s relations with South Korea and the US
The latest development comes two days after the North Korean state media released photos of the North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, visiting a new military museum in an undisclosed location in the country.
The museum displayed an intercontinental ballistic missile reportedly capable of reaching the US, photos released by KNCA state media showed.
Kim has made clear that boosting his country’s nuclear arsenal was his key priority. Denuclearization, as the US has pushed for, is off the table in this case.
Relations between the North Korean leader and US President Donald Trump also appear to have quieted since the two haven’t met in recent years.
US President Donald Trump, during his first term, met Kim three times. Earlier in the week, Trump, alluding to a trip to Asia next month, said he might meet Kim on the trip.
North Korea has put a halt to all coordination with South Korea and has removed all references to reunification with the South from its constitution.
Edited by: Sean Sinico
If you rely on our team for trusted reporting, please take a moment to select us as your Preferred Source on Google, so you’ll always see our verified news first.
