The North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised the launch of two cruise missiles from a submarine, the country's KCNA news agency reported, pointing out that this happened on Sunday (28/1).
THE North Korea has ramped up tests of military equipment in recent weeks, including an “underwater nuclear weapons system” and a solid-fuel hypersonic ballistic missile.
“The cruise missiles flew over the East Sea (…) to reach their island target”KCNA reported.
The agency clarified that these were Pulhwasal-3-31 missiles.
The Pulhwasal-3-31 is a new-generation strategic cruise missile that Pyongyang said it tested for the first time on Wednesday, with multiple launches toward the Yellow Sea.
Tests of cruise missiles are not prohibited under UN Security Council sanctions against Pyongyang, unlike those of ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons.
North Korea's exact sea-launch capabilities are unclear. Previous tests had been carried out from a submerged platform rather than a submarine.
In March 2023, North Korea launched two missiles of this type that traveled 1,500 kilometers, according to Pyongyang, meaning they could hit all of South Korea and much of Japan.
Kim expressed his “great satisfaction” after yesterday's launch“which attaches strategic importance to the implementation of the plan (…) to modernize the military with the aim of creating a strong naval force,” KCNA noted.
The North Korean leader also inspected “the construction of a nuclear submarine” and discussed issues related to the construction of other warships, the official agency added without elaborating.
Strengthening the country's naval power was one of the key decisions taken during a meeting of North Korea's sole party in late 2023 and is expected to be a priority for Pyongyang this year, analysts said.
North Korea already has a working model of a submarine-launched ballistic missile, the Pukguksong-3, with an estimated range of 1,900 kilometers.
Source: News Beast
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